



.• »»'% • 



r - " • o ^ '^•^ -«^ . « • • 


















'^o' 

6°-^ 



,v 











\/- 












•^^^■^ 



•4." »' 










-bV^ 



^°'n^. 




H°^ 








' "^^^ . «-" *'^<(mk, "^ .<a* /^^Ss^i'. 






v^\.r' 












^°'%. 









TVT* ,G 

















j.°-n>.. 










' 5^>. 








l'^'' 


















^oofefi bp JHarp ^ufitia 



THE ARROW-MAKER. 

THE FLOCK. Fully illustrated by E. Boyd Smith. 

ISIDRO. Illustrated by Eric Pape. 

THE LAND OF LITTLE RAIN. California Sketches. 
With illustrations by E. Boyd Smith. 

THE BASKET WOMAN. 

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 

Boston and New York 



THE ARROW-MAKER 



THE ARROW-MAKER 

A Drama in Three Acts 

BY 

MARY AUSTIN 

Revised Edition 




BOSTON AND NEW YORK 
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY 

191S 






COPYRIGHT, 191 1, BY DUFFIELD AND COMPANY 

COPYRIGHT, I915, BY MARY AUSTIN 

AS AUTHOR AND PROPRIETOR 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



The professional and amateur stage rights In this play are 
strictly reserved by the author, to whom applications for 
permission to produce it should be made. Applications 
should be addressed to Mrs. Mary Austin, National Arts 
Club, New York, N. Y. The music may be had from 
Elliot Schenck, 616 West 11 6th Street, New York. 

Attention is called to the penalties provided by law for 
any infringement of the author's rights, as follows : — 

"Sec. 4966: — Any person publicly performing or representing 
any dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been 
obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or 
musical composition, or his heirs and assigns, shall be liable for dam- 
ages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, 
not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for 
every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. 
If the unlawful performance and representation be wilful and for 
profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and 
upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year." 
— U.S. Revised Statutes, Tit/e 60, Chap. j. 



©CI.D 41721 

SEP 13 1915 






DEDICATED 

IN GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO 

H. C. H. 

AS ONE WHO AMONG MANY PROTESTANTS 
**MADE good'* 



PREFACE 
TO THE FIRST EDITION 

The greatest difficulty to be met in the 
writing of an Indian play is the extensive 
misinformation about Indians. Any real 
aboriginal of my acquaintance resembles his 
prototype in the public mind about as much 
as he does the high-nosed, wooden sign of a 
tobacco store, the fact being that, among 
the fifty-eight linguistic groups of American 
aboriginals, customs, traits, and beliefs differ 
as greatly as among Slavs and Sicilians. 
Their very speech appears not to be derived 
from any common stock. All that they really 
have of likeness is an average condition of 
primitiveness: they have traveled just so far 
toward an understanding of the world they 
live in, and no farther. It is this general lim- 
itation of knowledge which makes, in spite 
of the multiplication of tribal customs, a 
common attitude of mind which alone aifords 
a basis of interpretation. 

But before attempting to realize the work- 
ing of Indian psychology, you must first rid 



viii PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 

yourself of the notion that there is any real 
difference between the tribes of men except 
the explanations. What determines man's 
behavior in the presence of fever, thunder, 
and the separations of death, is the nature of 
his guess at the causes of these things. The 
issues of life do not vary so much with the 
conditions of civilization as is popularly 
supposed. 

Chiefest among the misconceptions of 
primitive life, which make difficult any dra- 
matic presentation of it, is the notion that 
all human contacts are accompanied by the 
degree of emotional stress that obtains only 
in the most complex social organizations. 
We are always hearing, from the people 
farthest removed from them, of " great prim- 
itive passions," when in fact what distin- 
guishes the passions of the tribesmen from 
our own is their greater liability to the pacific 
influences of nature, and their greater free- 
dom from the stimulus of imagination. What 
among us makes for the immensity of emo- 
tion, is the great weight of accumulated emo- 
tional tradition stored up in literature and 
art, almost entirely wanting in the camps of 
the aboriginals. There the two greatest 
themes of modern drama, love and ambition, 



PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION ix 

are modified, the one by the more or less 
communal nature of tribal labor, the other 
by the plain fact that in the simple, open-air 
life of the Indian the physical stress of sex is 
actually much less than in conditions called 
civilized. 

When the critics are heard talking of " dra- 
ma of great primitive passions," what they 
mean is great barbaric passions, passions far 
enough along in the process of socialization 
to be subject to the interactions of wealth, 
caste, and established religion, and still 
free from the obligation of politeness. But 
the life of the American Indian provides no 
such conditions, and, moreover, in the factor 
which makes conspicuously for the degree of 
complication called Plot, is notably wanting, 
— I mean in the factor of Privacy. Where all 
the functions of living are carried on in the 
presence of the community, or at the best 
behind the thin-walled, leafy huts, human 
relations become simplified to a degree diffi- 
cult for our complexer habit to comprehend. 
The only really great passions — great, I 
mean, in the sense of being dramatically 
possible — are communal, and find their ex- 
pression in the dance which is the normal 
vehicle of emotional stress. 



X PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 

In The Arrow-Maker the author, without 
dwelling too much on tribal peculiarities, 
has attempted the explication of this primi- 
tive attitude toward a human type common 
to all conditions of society. The particular 
mould in which the story is cast takes shape 
from the manner of aboriginal life in the 
Southwest, anywhere between the Klamath 
River and the Painted Desert; but it has 
been written in vain if the situation has not 
also worked itself out in terms of your own 
environment. 

The Chisera is simply the Genius, one of 
those singular and powerful characters whom 
we are still, with all our learning, unable to 
account for without falling back on the prim- 
itive conception of gift as arising from direct 
communication with the gods. That she 
becomes a Medicine Woman is due to the 
circumstance of being born into a time 
which fails to discriminate very clearly as to 
just which of the inexplicable things lie 
within the control of her particular gift. 
That she accepts the interpretation of her 
preeminence which common opinion pro- 
vides for her, does not alter the fact that she 
is no more or less than just the gifted woman, 
too much occupied with the use of her gift 



PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION xi 

to look well after herself, and more or less at 
the mercy of the tribe. What chiefly influ- 
ences their attitude toward her is worthy of 
note, being no less than the universal, un- 
reasoned conviction that great gift belongs, 
not to the possessor of it, but to society at 
large. The whole question then becomes one 
of how the tribe shall work the Chisera to 
their best advantage. 

How they did this, with what damage 
and success is to be read, but if to be read 
profitably, with its application in mind to 
the present social awakening to the waste, 
the enormous and stupid waste, of the gifts 
of women. To one fresh from the considera- 
tion of the roots of life as they lie close to the 
surface of primitive society, this obsession 
of the recent centuries, that the community 
can only be served by a gift for architecture, 
for administration, for healing, when it oc- 
curs in the person of a male, is only a trifle 
less ridiculous than that other social stupid- 
ity, namely, that a gift of mothering must 
not be exercised except in the event of a par- 
ticular man being able, under certain restric- 
tions, to afford the opportunity. There is 
perhaps no social movement going on at 
present so deep-rooted and dramatic as this 



xii PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 

struggle of Femininity to recapture its right 
to serve, and still to serve with whatever 
powers and possessions it finds itself en- 
dowed. But a dramatic presentation of it is 
hardly possible outside of primitive condi- 
tions where no tradition intervenes to pre- 
vent society from accepting the logic of 
events. 

Whatever more there may be in The 
Arrow-Maker^ besides its Indian color, should 
lie in the discovery by the Chisera, to which 
the author subscribes, that it is also in con- 
junction with her normal relation for loving 
and bearing that the possessor of gifts finds 
the greatest increment of power. To such of 
these as have not discovered it for them- 
selves. The Arrow-Maker is hopefully recom- 
mended. 



NOTE 
TO THE SECOND EDITION 

The Arrow-Maker was first published as 
produced at The New Theatre, New York, 
in the spring of 191 1. In that edition cer- 
tain concessions were made to what was 
thought to be the demand for a drama of 
Indian life which should present the Indian 
more nearly as he is popularly conceived. 

After four years the success of the pub- 
lished play as an authentic note on abori- 
ginal life as well as a drama suitable for 
production in schools and colleges, seems to 
warrant its publication in the original form. 
As it now stands, the book not only conforms 
to the author's original conception of the 
drama, but to the conditions of the life it 
presents. 

With the addition of notes and glossary 
it is hoped the present edition will meet 
every demand that can be made on an hon- 
est attempt to render in dramatic form a 
neglected phase of American Ufe. 

M. A. 



PERSONS OF THE DRAMA 

In the order of their appearance 



Choco "j 




Pamaquash V 


Fighting men 


Tavwots J 




Yavi 


A youth 


Seegooche 


The Chief's wife 


TiAWA 


A very old woman 


Wacoba 


Wife to Pamaquash 


The Chisera 


Medicine Woman of the Paiutes 


Bright Water 


The Chief's daughter 


White Flower ^ 




TUIYO > 


Friends of Bright Water 


Pioke J 




SiMWA 


The Arrow-Maker 


Padahoon 


Rival to Simwafor leadership 


Rain Wind 


Chief of the Paiutes 


Haiwai 


A young matron 



THE ARROW-MAKER 
ACT FIRST 



THE ARROW-MAKER 

ACT FIRST 

Scene. — The hut of the Chisera, in the foot- 
hills of the Sierras. It stands at the mouth 
of a steeps dark canon, opening toward the 
valley of Sagharazvite. At the hack rise 
high and barren cliffs where eagles nest; 
at the foot of the cliffs runs a stream, hid- 
den by willow and buckthorn and toyon. 
The wickiup is built in the usual Paiute 
fashion, of long willows set about a circu- 
lar pit, bent over to form a dome, thatched 
with reeds and grass. About the hut lie 
baskets and blankets, a stone metate, other 
household articles, all of the best quality; 
in front is a clear space overflowing with 
knee-deep many-colored bloom of the Cali- 
fornia spring. A little bank that runs from 
the wickiup to the toyon bushes is covered 
with white forget-me-nots. The hearth- 
fire between two stones is quite out, but the 
deerskin that screens the opening of the hut 
is caught up at one side, a sign that the 



4 THE ARROW-MAKER 

owner is not far from home, or expects to 
return soon. 
At first glance the scene appears devoid of life, 
hut suddenly the call of a jay bird is heard 
faintly and far up the trail that leads to 
the right among the rocks. It is repeated 
nearer at hand, perfectly imitated hut with 
a nuance that advises of human origin, 
and two or three half-naked Indians are 
seen to he making their way toward the 
hottom of the canon, their movements so 
cunningly harmonized with the lines of the 
landscape as to render them nearly invisi- 
ble. Choco and Pamaquash with two 
others come together at the end of the bank 
farthest from the Chisera's hut. 

Choco 

Who called? 

Pamaquash 
It came from farther up. 

Choco 
Yavi, I think. 

Pamaquash 
He must have seen something. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 5 

Choco 
, By the Bear, if the Castacs have crossed 
our boundaries, there are some of them shall 
not recross it! 

Pamaquash 
Hush — the Chisera — she will hear you! 

Choco 
She is not in the hut. She went out toward 
the hills early this morning, and has not yet 
returned. Besides, if the Castacs have 
crossed, we cannot keep it from the women 
much longer. 

Pamaquash 

(Who has moved up to a better post of obser- 
vation.) There is some one on the trail. 

{The jay^s call is heard and answered 
softly by Pamaquash.) 

Choco 
Yavi. But Tavwots is not with him. 
(Yavi comes dropping from the cliffs.) What 
have you seen? 

Yavi 
Smoke rising — by Deer Leap. Two long 
puffs and a short one. 

{The news is received with sharps excited 
murmurs.) 



6 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Pamaquash 
More than a score — and with all our 
youths we cannot count so many. 

Choco 

And this business of war leader still unset- 
tled — The Council must sit at once. Go, 
one of you, and tell Chief Rain Wind that 
Tavwots has signaled from Deer Leap that 
more than a score of Castacs are out against 
us. 

Pamaquash 

And tell the women to prepare a gift has- 
tily for the Chisera. Who knows how soon 
we shall have need of her medicine. 

(()ne of the Indians departs on this 
errand.) 

Choco 
Never so much need of it as when we have 
neglected our own part of the affair! Even 
before the Castacs began to fill up our springs 
and drive our deer, we knew that the Chief 
is too old for war; and now that the enemy 
has crossed our borders we are still leaderless. 

Pamaquash 
So we should not be if we had followed the 



THE ARROW-MAKER 7 

tribal use and given the leadership to years 
and experience. It is you young men who 
have unsettled judgment, with the to-do you 
have made about the Arrow-Maker. 

Choco 
I have nothing against years and experi- 
ence, but when one has the gods as plainly 
on his side as Simwa — 

Yavi 
Never have I seen a man so increase in 
power and fortune — 

Pamaquash 
Huh — huh ! I too have watched the 
growth of this Simwa. Also I have seen a 
gourd swelling with the rains, and I have not 
laid it to the gods in either case. But the 
Council must sit upon it. We must bring it 
to the Council. 

Yavi 

(Hotly.) Why should you credit the gods 
with Simwa's good fortune since he himself 
does not so claim it.^* For my part, I think 
with the Arrow-Maker, that it is better for a 
man to thrive by his own wits, rather than 



8 THE ARROW-MAKER 

by the making of medicine or the wisdom of 
the elders. 

Pamaquash 
(From above ^ Tst — st, Tavwots! 

(Tavwots comes down the canon panting 
with speed. He drops exhausted on the 
hank J and Yavi gives him water between 
his palms from the creek.) 

Choco 
Have they crossed? 

Tavwots 
Between Deer Leap and Standing Rock — 
more than a score, though I think some of 
them were boys — but they had no women. 

Choco 

They mean fighting, then ! 

Yavi 

Well, they can have it. 

Tavwots 
But they should not be let fatten on our 
deer before they come to it. Winnemucca, 
whom I left at Deer Leap, will bring us word 



THE ARROW-MAKER g 

where they camp to-night. In the mean time 
there is much to do. (Rising.) 

Choco 
Much. No doubt Simwa will have some- 
thing to suggest. 

Tavwots 

The Arrow-Maker is not yet war leader, 
my friend. I go to the Chief and the Council. 

(He goes.) 

Choco 
And yet, I think the Chief favors Simwa, 
else why should he prefer to put the election 
to lot rather than keep to the custom of the 
fathers ? 

Yavi 

(Going.) There might be reasons to that, 
not touching the merits of the Arrow-Maker. 

Pamaquash 
Tavwots has met the women ! 

(Sounds of the grief of the women in the 
direction of the camp.) 

Choco 
They are coming to the Chisera. We 



10 THE ARROW-MAKER 

should not have let them find us here; they 
will neglect their business with her to beset 
us with questions. 

{To them enter three women of the cam- 
pody of Sagharazvite, carrying perfect- 
patterned, howUshaped baskets, with 
gifts of food for the Chisera. See- 
GOOCHE, the Chiefs wife, is old and 
full of dignity. Tiawa is old and sharp, 
but Wacoba is a comfortable, comely 
matron, who wears a blanket modestly 
yet to conceal charms not past their 
prime. Seegooche and Tiawa wear 
basket caps, but Wacoba has a bandeau 
of bright beads about her hair. They 
show signs of agitation, instantly sub- 
, dued at sight of the men.) 

Seegooche 
Is this true what Tavwots has told us, that 
the Castacs are upon us? 

Choco 

No nearer than Pahrump. Not so near by 
the time we have done with them. What 
gifts have you.^ 

Tiawa 
The best the camp affords. Think you we 



THE ARROW-MAKER ii 

would stint when the smoke of the Castacs 
goes up within our borders? 

Waco B A 

Where is she? 

Choco 
Abroad in the hills gathering roots and 
herbs for to-night's medicine. Wait for her. 
— We must go look to our fighting gear. 
{He goes out in ike direction of the cam- 
pody.) 

Pamaquash 
( To Wacoba.) My bow case, is it finished ? 

Wacoba 
And the bow inside it. See that you come 
not back to me nor to your young son until 
the bowstring is frayed asunder. 

Pamaquash 
If you do your work with the Chisera as 
well as we with Castac, you shall not need to 
question our bowstrings. {Going,) 

Seegooche 
Leave us to deal — though if she cannot 



12 THE ARROW-MAKER 

help us in this matter, I do not know where 
we shall turn. 

TiAWA 

Never have I asked help of her, and been 
disappointed. 

Wacoba 

(Gathering flowers?) Aye, but that was 
mere women's matters, weevil in the pine 
nuts, a love-charm or a colicky child. This is 
war I 

Seegooche 
(Still peering about?) As if that were not a 
woman's affair also! 

TiAWA 

You may well say that! It was in our last 
quarrel with Castac I lost the only man-child 
I ever had, dead before he was born. When 
the women showed me his face, it was all 
puckered with the bitterness of that defeat. 
You may well say a woman's matter! 

Seegooche 
That was the year my husband was first 
made Chief, and we covered defeat with vic- 
tory, as we shall again. It was Tinnemaha, 



THE ARROW-MAKER 13 

the father of the Chisera, went before the 
gods for us, I remember. 

TiAWA 

Well for us that he taught her his strong 
medicine. Not a fighting man from Tecuya 
to Tehachappi but trusts in her. 

(Goes to the creek and dips up water to 
drink in her basket cap.) 

Waco B A 

{Tentatively.) It is believed by some that 
she makes medicine for Simwa, the Arrow- 
Maker, and that is why his arrows are so 
well feathered and fly so swiftly to the mark. 

Seegooche 
Simwa! Why, he scoffs at charms and 
speaks lightly even of the gods. 

TiAWA 

{Giving the others to drink from her cap.) 
Aye; Simwa puts not faith in anybody but 
Simwa. 

Seegooche 
And with good reason, for he is the most 
skillful of the tribesmen. He has made all 



14 THE ARROW-MAKER 

the arrows for the fighting men. Do you 
think they will make him war leader? 

Waco B A 

(Ornamenting the basket she has brought 
with a wreath of flowers, which she plucks.) 
Padahoon will never agree to it. 

TiAWA 

But if Simwa is the better man? 

Wacoba 
The Sparrow Hawk is older, and has the 
greater experience. 

Seegooche 
Prutt ! If age and experience were all, my 
husband would not ask that a new leader be 
chosen. Young men are keenest-eyed and 
quickest afoot. 

{She moves up the trail looking for signs 
of the Chi SERA.) 

TiAWA 

{Going over to Wacoba, aside from See- 
gooche.) So the Chief favors Simwa? I 
would not have thought it. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 15 

Wacoba 
{Significantly.) Seegooche's daughter is 
not married, and the Arrow-Maker has many 
blankets. 

TiAWA 

Ugh, huh! So the scent lies up that trail? 
Well, why not? 

Wacoba 

Why not? The Chiefs daughter and the 
war leader? A good match. 

TiAWA 

{Going across to the hut.) Aye, a good 
match 1 . . . Do you know, I have never been 
in the Chisera's house. It is said she has a 
great store of baskets and many beads. Let 
us look. 

Seegooche 
No, no; do not go near it. 

Wacoba 

{Alarmed.) Kima! Tiawa, she may be 
watching you. 

Tiawa 

{By the hut, but not daring to enter it.) What 



i6 THE ARROW-MAKER 

harm to visit a neighbor's house when the 
door is open. Besides, she makes no bad 
medicine. 

Seegooche 
We know that she does not, but not that 
she could not if she would. 

TiAWA 

{Returning reluctantly^ Why should we 
hold the Chisera so apart from the campody.^* 
Why should she not have a husband and 
children as other women .f* How can she go 
before the gods for us until she knows what 
we are thinking in our hearts.^ 

Wacoba 
{Jumping up.) I have seen something 
stirring in the alder bushes. I think the 
Chisera comes! 

Seegooche 
Do not be seen too near the hut. Come 
away, Tiawa. 

TiAWA 

Have you the presents ready ? ( The women 
take up their baskets hastily.) Hide your bas- 
ket, Seegooche. It is not well to let all your 



THE ARROW-MAKER 17 

gifts appear on the first showing, for if she is- 
not persuaded at first, we shall have some- 
thing of more worth. 

{The Chisera comes out of the trail hy the 
almond bushes^ young and tall and 
comely^ hut of dignified^ almost forbid- 
ding^ carriage. She is dressed chiefly in 
skins; her hair is very long, braided with 
heads. She carries a small burden bas- 
ket on her back, supported by a band 
about her forehead. She removes this, 
and drops it at the hut, coming for- 
ward.) 

The Chisera 
Friends, what have we to do with one an- 
other? Seegooche, has your meal fermented? 
Or has your baby the colic again, Wacoba? 

Seegooche 
We have a gift for you, Chisera. 

{The women draw near timidly, each, as 
she speaks, placing her basket at the 
Chisera's feet, and retire.) 

The Chisera 

{Looking at the gifts, without touching them.) 
The venison is fat and tender; Seegooche, 



1 8 THE ARROW-MAKER 

there is no one grinds meal so smoothly as 
you. The honey is indeed acceptable. 

{After a pause, during which the medicine 
woman looks keenly at them.) 

TiAWA 

We do not come for ourselves, Chisera, 
but from the tribeswomen. 

Seegooche 
From every one who has a husband or son 
able to join battle. 

The Chisera 
{Eagerly.) Is there battle.'^ 

Seegooche 
Even as we came, there was word that the 
Castacs are camped at Pahrump, and before 
night our men must meet them. 

The Chisera 

And you ask me — 1 

Seegooche 

{Approaching appealingly and sinking to 
the ground in the stress of anxiety.) A charm, 
Chisera! 



THE ARROW-MAKER 19 

TiAWA 

{Approaching with Waco b a.) A most 
potent medicine, O friend of the gods ! 

Waco B a 

That our men may have strength and dis- 
cretion. That their hearts may not turn to 
water and their knees quake under them — 

TiAWA 

(Urgently.) May the bows of Castac be 
broken, and their arrows turned aside — 

Seegooche 
For the lords of our bodies and the sons of 
our bodies, a blessing, Chisera! 

Wacoba 
That our hearths may be kept alight and 
our children know their fathers — 

TiAWA 

When the noise of battle is joined and the 
buzzards come, may they feed on our foes, 
Chisera — 

Seegooche 
O friend of the gods, befriend us! 

{The women cast dust on their hair and 



20 THE ARROW-MAKER 

rock to and fro while the Chisera 
speaks^ lifting up their arms in an 
agony of entreating.) 

The Chisera 

Am I not also a tribeswoman ? Would not 
I do so much for my people? But your 
gifts and your prayers will be acceptable to 
the gods, for of myself I can do nothing. {She 
stoops to the gifts y but hesitates.) Who is this 
that comes? 

{The young girls steal up noiselessly 
through the hushes, led by the Chiefs 
daughter. Bright Water is lovely and 
young; her hair, flowing loosely over her 
shoulders and breast, is mingled with 
strings of heads and bright berries. Her 
dress of fringed buckskin is heavily 
headed, her arms are weighted with arm- 
lets of silver and carved heads of tur- 
quoise; about her neck hangs a disk of 
glittering shell. She walks proudly, a 
little in advance of the others, who bunch 
up timidly like quail on the trail, behind 
her. The women, catching sight of the 
girls, spring up, frightened, and stand 
half protectingly between them and the 
Chisera.) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 21 

TiAWA 

It is the Chief's daughter. 

Seegooche 
What do you here? You have neither sons 
nor husbands that you should ask spells and 
charms. 

Bright Water 
How, then, shall we have husbands or 
sons, if the battle goes against us ? 

The Chisera 
Well answered. Chief's daughter. 

Bright Water 

(Surprised.) You know me.^ 

The Chisera 
I have heard that the loveliest maiden of 
Sagharawite is called Bright Water, daughter 
of Rain Wind, Chief of the Paiutes. 

Seegooche 

(Going over to Bright Water.) You 
should have stayed in the wickiup, my daugh- 
ter; you are too young to go seeking magic 
medicine. 



22 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Bright Water 
The more need because we are young, 
mother. If the loss of battle come to you, at 
least you have had the love of a man and 
the lips of children at the breast. But we, if 
the battle goes against us, what have we.^ 

The Chisera 
Ay, truly, Seegooche, there are no joys so 
hard to do without as those we have not 
had. 

Bright Water 
Therefore, we ask a charm, Chisera, for 
our sweethearts ; and, in the mean time, may 
this remind you — 

{^he drops a bracelet in the Chisera's 
basket^ 

White Flower 
(Going forward.) The scarlet beads from 
me, Chisera. I am to be married in the time 
of tasseling corn. 

TuiYO 

The shells from me, Chisera. Good medi- 
cine! 



THE ARROW-MAKER 23 

PlOKE 

Strong Bow Is my lover, Chlsera. Bring 
him safe home again. 

(The girls retire after dropping their gifts 
in the Chisera's basket.) 

The Chisera 
{A little stiffly.) You have no need of gifts. 
Am I not young, even as you? Should you 
pray for your lover any more or less for the 
sake of a few beads ? 

Seegooche 
{Anxiously.) Be not angry, Chisera. They 
would repay you for the dancing and the 
singing. 

{The Chisera gathers up the gifts that the 
older women have brought and goes into 
the hut. The girls take up their gifts ^ puz- 
zled.) 

Seegooche 
I am afraid you have vexed her with your 
foolish quest. 

Bright Water 
Has the Chisera a lover also, that she speak 
so? 



24 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Seegooche 
It IS not possible and we not know of it, 
for since her father's death if any sought her 
hand in marriage, he must come to my hus- 
band in the matter of dowry. 

Wacoba 

No fear that any will come while she is 
still the Chisera. 

Bright Water 
She is the wisest of us all. 

TiAWA 

Wisdom is good as a guest, but it wears 
out its welcome when it sits by the hearth- 
stone. 

Bright Water 
She has great power with the gods. 

Wacoba 
So much so that if she had a husband, he 
dare not beat her lest she run and tattle to 
them. 

Seegooche 
She is our Chisera, and there is not another 
like her between Tehachappi and Tecuya. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 25 

If she were wearied with stooping and sweat- 
ing, if she were anxious with bearing and 
rearing, how could she go before the gods 
for us? 

TiAWA 

Aye, that is the talk in the wickiups, that 
we must hold her apart from us to give her 
room for her great offices, but I have always 
said — but I am old and nobody minds me 
■ — I have always said that if she had loved 
as we love and had borne as we have borne, 
she would be the more fitted to entreat the 
gods that we may not lose. 

Seegooche 
{As the Chisera comes out of the hut.) If 
you are angry, Chisera, turn it against our 
enemies of Castac. 

The Chisera 
You know that I cannot curse. 

TiAWA 

Is it true, Chisera, that you make no bad 
medicine.^ 

The Chisera 
Many kinds of sickness I can cure, and 
give easy childbirth. I can bring rain, and 



26 THE ARROW-MAKER 

give fortune in the hunt, but of the making 
of evil spells I know nothing. 

Seegooche 
But your father, the medicine man — he 
was the dread and wonder of the tribes. 

The Chisera 
Aye, my father could kill by a spell, and 
make a wasting sickness with a frown, but 
he thought such powers not proper to women : 
therefore he taught me none. 

Wacoba 
But you will bring a blessing on the battle.^ 
Oh, Chisera, they do not tell us women, but 
we hear it whispered about the camp that 
the men of Castac are five and twenty, and 
even with the youths who go to their first 
battle we cannot make a score of ours. It is 
the Friend of the Soul of Man must make 
good our numbers. 

The Chisera 
Even now I go to prepare strong medicine. 

Wacoba 

Come away, then, and leave the Chisera 
to her work. (Going.) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 27 

Seegooche 
May the gods befriend you. If we have 
your blessing, we care little for another's 
curse. {Going.) 

The Chisera 
Stay. After all, we are but women to- 
gether, and if a woman may give counsel, 
women may hear it. 

TiAWA 

Would we might hear yours to-day! 

The Chisera 
When the smoke of the medicine fire 
arises, so as to be seen from the spring, do 
you come up along the creek as far as the 
black rock. 



Women 



Yes, yes! 



The Chisera 
When you hear the medicine rattles, stand 
off by the toy on. 

Women 
By the toyon — yes ! 



28 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
But when the rattles are stopped, and the 
singing falls off, come up very softly, not to 
disturb the Council, and hear what the gods 
have said. If the men speak against it, I 
will stand for you. 

Seegooche 
Our thanks to you, Chisera, for this kind- 
ness. 

TiAWA 

And though you are a Chisera, and have 
strange intercourse with the gods, I know 
you a woman, by this token. 

The Chisera 
Doubt it not, but go. 

Seegooche 
Come away, girls. 

{They go out, the girls with them. But 
Bright Water lingers, and comes 
hack to the Chisera.) 

Bright Water 
Chisera — 

The Chisera 
Chiefs daughter .f^ 



THE ARROW-MAKER 29 

Bright Water 
Call me by my name. 

The Chisera 
Bright Water, what would you have of 
me? 

Bright Water 
Can you — will you make a charm for one 
going out to battle whose name is not 
spoken ? 

The Chisera 
How shall the gods find him out, if he is 
not to be named? 

Bright Water 
{Earnestly.) Oh, he is handsome and strong 
in the shoulders; the muscles of his back are 
laced like thongs. He is the bravest — 

The Chisera 
{Laughing.) Chiefs daughter, whenever I 
have made love charms, they have been for 
men handsome and strong in the back. 

Bright Water 
{Abashed.^ I know not how to describe 
him. 



30 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 

{Still smiling.) And his name is not to be 
spoken? (Bright Water continues to look 
down at her moccasin. ) If I had something of 
his: something he had shaped with his hands 
or worn upon his person, that I could make 
medicine upon — 

Bright Water 
Like this ? 

{Takes amulet from her neck and holds it 
out.) 

The Chisera 
{Taking it.) Did he give you this? 

Bright Water 
He made it. 

The Chisera 
{Examining it.) It is skillfully fashioned. 

Bright Water 

Will it answer? 

The Chisera 
To make a spell upon? Yes, if you can 
spare it. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 31 

Bright Water 
Shall I have it again? 

The Chisera 
When the time is past for which the spell is 
made. 

Bright Water 
Make it, then; a powerful medicine against 
ill fortune in battle. And this for your pains, 
Chisera. (Holds out bracelet.) 

The Chisera 
{Proudly.) I want no gifts. Keep your 
bracelet. 

Bright Water 

{With equal pride.) The Chiefs daughter 
asks no favors. 

The Chisera 
But if a Chisera choose to confer them.f* 
{With sudden feeling.) What question is 
there between us of Chief's daughter and 
Chisera? We are two women, and young. 

Bright Water 
{Uncertainly.) The Chisera is the friend of 
the gods. 



32 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
And therefore not the friend of any tribes- 
woman? {Passionately?) Oh, I am weary of 
the friendship of the gods! If I have walked 
in the midnight and heard what the great 
ones have said, is that any reason I should 
not know what a man says to a maid in the 
dusk — or do a kindness to my own kind — 
or love, and be beloved? 

Bright Water 

{Moved,) Therefore take it {offering 
bracelet again) as one woman from another — 
and you shall make a charm for me for love. 

The Chisera 
( Taking the gift.) I shall make it as though 
I loved him myself. 

Bright Water 
{Startled.) Oh, I did not say I loved him. 

The Chisera 

{Smiling.) No? 

Bright Water 

{Studying the pattern of her moccasin.) Is 
it true, Chisera, that you have been called 



THE ARROW-MAKER 33 

to the Council that decides upon the war 
leader who is to be chosen in my father's 
place? 

The Chisera 
I am to inquire of the gods concerning it. 

Bright Water 
(Diffidently^ Chisera, I have heard — my 
father thinks — Simwa, the Arrow-Maker, is 
well spoken of. 

(The first note of the love call is heard far 
up the cliffs. The Chisera starts and 
controls herself.) 

The Chisera 
(Coldly^ in dismissal.) Simwa needs the 
good word of no man. It shall be as the gods 
determine. 

(Goes over to hut. The love call sounds 
nearer.) 

Bright Water 

(After a moment's hesitation.) Farewell, 
Chisera. (She goes.) 

The Chisera 
(Looking up the trail.) Ah, Simwa, Simwa, 
what bond there is between us, when, if I 



34 THE ARROW-MAKER 

but pronounce thy name in my heart, thy 

voice answers. 

( The love call is repeated far up the cliffs 
above her hut, and she answers it, sing- 
ing:) 

Over-long are thy feet on the trails, 

OMuch Desired!! 
Dost thou not hear afar what my blood whispers, 
Betraying my heart as the whir 
Of the night-moth's wings betray the lilies? 

{As she sings, Simwa, in full war dress, 
comes dropping down, hand over hand, 
from the rocks, until he stands beside 
her.) 

Simwa 
Did you not hear me when first I called? 

The Chisera 
I heard you, Most Desired. When do I 
not? Even when I sleep, my heart wakes to 
hear you. The women have been with me. 

Simwa 

You know, then? 

The Chisera 
That this very night a war party of ours 
must go out to meet the Castacs. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 35 

SiMWA 

And before that there will be a Council to 
choose a war leader ? Has the Chief told you ? 

The Chisera 

Not since this latest word, but yesterday 
he bid me prepare a strong medicine, for he 
thought the election would be made by lot. 
But I did not tell him, O Much Desired, that 
I had already made medicine a night and a 
day to let the choice fall on you. A day and 
a night by Deer Leap on Toorape, where 
never foot but mine had been, I made medi- 
cine, and the answer is sure. 

SiMWA 

That I shall get the leadership \ 

The Chisera 
When have the gods denied me anything 
that I asked for your sake, Arrow-Maker of 
Sagharawite? 

SiMWA 

The Padahoon hunts on a cold trail, and 
there is nothing for me to do ? 

{He sits on the hank and the Chisera sits 
below him.) 



36 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
Beloved, there is much to do, for before 
the shadow which lies between my feet has 
grown tall again, I must make medicine for 
the sake of this war; and I have spent so 
much on you, the power goes from me. Now, 
you must put your hand upon my heart, and 
nurse it warm, so that the people lack nothing 
of their Chisera. 

SiMWA 

Is that good, Chisera? 

{Puts his arm about her,) 

The Chisera 
Very good. Friend of my heart. 

{She leans upon his arm.) 

SiMWA 

{Quickened by the caress.) Chisera, what 
did you do before I came ? 

The Chisera 
Oh, then I lived in the dream of you. 
When I ran in the trails, my heart expected 
you at every turn, and in the dark of the hut 
the sense of you brooded on my sleep. But 
I thought it was all for the gods. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 37 

SiMWA 

{Fatuously.) Until I came. 

The Chisera 
Did I tell you, Simwa, that day when first 
you found me dancing in the sun — you had 
been gathering eagle's feathers for your 
arrows, do you remember? — I thought that 
day that you were of the gods yourself, for I 
was sick with longing, and the spring was in 
my blood. 

Simwa 
And when I came again, what did you 
think? 

The Chisera 
That you were the man most deserving 
their favor, and that all the medicine I had 
learned until then was merely that I might 
persuade them for your sake. 

Simwa 
{Sitting up.) Chisera, when you go up to 
the Friend of the Soul of Man, you cannot 
be always asking for the tribespeople. Do 
you not sometimes ask for yourself? 

The Chisera 
What should I ask for when I have your 
love ? 



38 THE ARROW-MAKER 

SiMWA 

For friends, perhaps, who are to be re- 
warded, or those who have done you inju- 
ries? (Watching her.) 

The Chisera 
(Laughing.) Once, Simwa, before I was 
sure of you, I made a singing medicine to 
draw you from the camp. And you came, 
Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, you came. 
(Laying her hands on his bosom.) Did you 
not feel me draw you.^ 

Simwa 
Often and often, as it were a tie-rope in 
my bosom between us. (Letting go her hands 
and stretching himself preparatory to rising.) 
But I did not think it was your medicine. 

The Chisera 
What then .^ 

Simwa 

(Rising and walking about.) Your beauty 
and the wonder of your dancing. 

The Chisera 
Tell me, Simwa, in the beginning I know 
you did not believe; but now you understand 



THE ARROW-MAKER 39 

the power I have from the Friend of the Soul 
of Man? 

SiMWA 

Surely; now that I am about to be made 
war leader by means of it. 

The Chisera 
(Rising and going hack to the feathering of 
the prayer-stick.) But I have heard the 
women gossiping at the spring — 

SiMWA 

What did they say? 

The Chisera 
That Simwa does not believe In charms 
and scoffs at the gods. 

Simwa 
That was true {recovering) — once. But 
now that I am become the most notable 
arrow-maker in Sagharawite — 

The Chisera 
Now — now you do not scoff at the Chi- 
sera ? 

Simwa 
{Embarrassed.) But it is not always well 



40 THE ARROW-MAKER 

for a man to say what he thinks. If I were 
to tell in the carnpody whence my good for- 
tune is, would not Padahoon do me some 
mischief for it? 

The Chisera 
But, Simwa, am I never to come to you as 
other women to the wickiups of their hus- 
bands ? 

Simwa 
What need, Chisera, when I come so often 
to yours ? 

The Chisera 
The need of women to serve openly where 
they love. 

Simwa 
But what service could you do me when 
you had lost the respect of the tribesmen? 
You know the tribal custom. It is not for the 
friend of the gods to dig roots and dress 
venison. 

(Throws himself on the hank beside her.) 

The Chisera 
I have not found the gods any the less 
friendly since I have loved, Arrow-Maker; 



THE ARROW-MAKER 41 

and I know not why it should seem strange 
to others that I should know love as — as we 
have known it. Only to-day the girls of the 
village came to me to buy a charm to keep 
their lovers safe in war. There was not one 
but dared to ask, even though she would not 
speak her lover's name for bashfulness. See, 
one of them gave me this to make medicine 
upon. 

SiMWA 

{Taking it.) Bright Water gave you this.^ 

The Chisera 
(Surprised.) How did you know? 

SiMWA 

I thought you said — that is, I have seen 
her wear it. Did she tell you from whom she 
had it.^ 

The Chisera 
Not by his name, but by the way he looked 
to her. 

SiMWA 

How was that.^ 

The Chisera 
As every lover looks to every maid — tall 



42 THE ARROW-MAKER 

and strong and straight of back. Even as 
you look to me, Beloved. 

SiMWA 

{Relieved^ giving hack the amulet^ May 
your medicine preserve him. And, as for me, 
Chisera, I wish I could persuade the tribes- 
men to look as favorably on me as you do. 

The Chisera 
But you have no enemies. 

SiMWA 

The Sparrow Hawk, without doubt. 
Could you give me a curse for him.^ 

The Chisera 
(Rising.) Ah, you should not have asked 
me that. Never since my father died have I 
thought to regret that he did not teach me 
the making of evil medicine. Would I had 
all the curses in the world! (Turning pite- 
ously to him.) But you do not love me any 
the less because I have not one little, little 
curse to give you ^ 

SiMWA 

No, it is nothing. No curse can reach me 



THE ARROW-MAKER 43 

past your blessing. But I would not have 
thought the old man would leave you wholly 
unprotected. Why, even I could wrong you, 
and, without a curse {trying to speak lightly) 
you could not punish me for it. 

The Chisera 
If no one does me no more wrong than you, 
Simwa, I need no cursing. But, in truth, my 
father did give me — Ah, now I have 
thought of another gift for you, Arrow- 
Maker of Sagharawite! Before he died, the 
medicine man, my father — did I not tell 
you.^ {she rummages eagerly in her medicine 
hag) — gave me this magic arrow against 
my evil hour. {Drawing it out.) See how 
heavy it is, and how the blood drain is cut 
in a medicine writing round and round the 
shaft. 

Simwa 
What magic has it.^* 

The Chisera 

That however far and feebly it is shot, it 

flies straight to the mark, over hills and high 

mountains, in the dark or light, and death 

rides upon its shaft. {Laughing.) Why, you 



44 THE ARROW-MAKER 

could kill even me with this arrow. See, I 
have tied it in your quiver, so that you may 
not mistake it and shoot it away on any 
slight occasion. It is my latest gift to you, 
Beloved. 

SiMWA 

Thanks for the gift, Chisera. Now give 
me the quiver. I must join the others before 
the Council. The fighting men were painting 
their faces when I came. 

{^A war-whoop is heard at a distance?^ 

The Chisera 
I hear shouting. 

SiMWA 

I must go quickly. I would not have 
Padahoon find me here. 

The Chisera 
Yes, he would brood upon it like a sage 
hen, until he had hatched mischief. Oh, 
Simwa, though I have prayed the gods until 
they and I are weary, to keep you safe in this 
war, yet my heart shakes to see you go. 
There is a beating in my breast as of the 
wings of vultures after battle. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 45 

SiMWA 

You have wearied yourself too much mak- 
ing medicine. If you have no more faith in 
the gods, have a little in me. If I can go out 
of Sagharawite as war leader, I shall come 
back with the spoil of Castac. (Shouts are 
heard nearer than before.) Now I go quickly! 
{He turns carelessly from her lingering caress 
and crosses to the toyon, starting back at the 
sight o/Padahoon, moving noiselessly through 
the chaparral J blanketed and watchful.) What! 
Has the Sparrow Hawk eaten when-o-nabe 
that he must visit the Chisera on the eve of 
Council ? 

Padahoon 
I come from the Chief — but I had not 
expected to find Simwa, the scoffer, before 
me. 

Simwa 
{Uneasily). I have been gathering eagles' 
feathers for my arrows under Toorape. 

Padahoon 
Quite so — and are not the first hunter to 
find the shortest way past the house of the 
Medicine Woman. But it is well known 



46 THE ARROW-MAKER 

that Simwa seeks no charms for himself. 
The Chief has been asking for you. 

{He passes on to the Chisera, standing 
stiffly with strained attention hy her hut. 
Simwa hesitates., recovers himself, and 
passes out with the appearance of in- 
difference.) 
Chisera, Rain Wind, Chief of Sagharawlte, 
greets you, and bids me say that at the moth- 
hour he will be here with the fighting men to 
invite the favor of the gods in this war with 
Castac. 

The Chisera 
And before that — t 

Padahoon 
There will be a Council — 

The Chisera 
To choose a war leader. 

Padahoon 
So the Chief has said. 

The Chisera 
And it is the purpose of the Council to put 
this election to the gods 1 



THE ARROW-MAKER 47 

Padahoon 
It may come to that — {^A pause?) Chief 
Rain Wind is a dotard. What should a 
woman know of these matters ? 

The Chisera 
All that the gods are thinking in their 
hearts. 

Padahoon 

The gods, ayel But what word have 
the gods of the affairs of Sagharawite ex- 
cept as you carry it.^^ Now between us — 
Chisera — 

The Chisera 
What is there between us, Padahoon, that 
our talk should be otherwise than appears 
at the Council.^ 

Padahoon 
There should be a matter of two doeskins, 
tanned white and fine {he produces them from 
under his blanket) if the gods are friendly. 
Look, Chisera! 

{He spreads them out before the Chisera, 
who is seated hy the hut, feathering a 
prayer-stick.) 



48 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Padahoon 

(Dropping the doeskins negligently^ Oh, 
the man can make an arrow. 

The Chisera 
But not lead a war party? 

Padahoon 
A war leader, Chisera, should be neither 
old and timid, nor young and overbold, but 
of middle years and discretion; not so hot in 
his heart that his head cannot reason with it, 
nor so reasonable that it cools his heart. 

(As he stands again, his hands are folded 
inside his arms; he is not so sure of his 
errand.) 

The Chisera 
Like . . . Padahoon. 

Padahoon 
{Wheedling.) What will the gods think of 
a blanket of the Navajoes {he spreads it out 
before her) — thick and fine — and four 
strings of shells — and a cake of mesquite 
meal — ? 

The Chisera 
Are the gods a-cold, Padahoon, that you 



THE ARROW-MAKER 49 

bring them a blanket? Is there hunger in 
their camp, think you? 

Padahoon 

Let the things stay in yours, Chisera; they 
will remind you to speak well of me when you 
go before the Friend of the Soul of Man. 

The Chisera 

Put up your pack, Padahoon! 

Padahoon 

It is a little matter, Chisera; a handful of 
sticks thrown on the ground. What should 
the gods care for a handful of sticks? And 
the blanket is very thick. Shall I leave it a 
little while, that you may admire it? 

The Chisera 
Put up your pack, Padahoon, and learn 
not to think so lightly of the gods, lest they 
visit it upon you! 

Padahoon 

{Reluctantly putting up ike hrihe; after a 
pause ^ revolving new measures^ Chisera, this 
is a man's business which comes before you 
in the Council. Will you hear man-talk from 
me? 



50 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
Is it possible the Sparrow Hawk does so 
much credit to my understanding? 

Pad AH CON 
Chisera, we have had peace now at Sag- 
harawite so many summers that scarcely a 
man of us besides myself has seen battle; 
also we are a little outnumbered. Have 
you thought, Chisera, what will come to 
Sagharawite if we go out under an untried 
leader? 

The Chisera 
What will come will be as the gods deter- 
mine. What reason have you to think they 
will favor you more than Simwa? 

Padahoon 
It Is my experience, Chisera, that the gods 
are inclined to the better man. And, look 
you, Chisera, this is perhaps my last chance 
to serve my people. Comes another war, if 
there are enough of us left after this to make 
another war possible, I shall be too old for 
leadership. And I have that in me which I 
would prove before I die. This is man-talk, 
Chisera. Do you understand it? 



THE ARROW-MAKER 51 

The Chisera 

I understand that you want greatly this 

election, but I can do nothing except as the 

gods declare. Put up your pack, Padahoon, 

I have work to do. (Rising.) 

Padahoon 

(Putting up his pack.) How much did 
Simwa give you ? 

The Chisera 

(Startled.) Simwa! (Recovering herself.) 
The Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite leaves all 
higher matters where they belong. 

Padahoon 

Simwa put trust in the gods! Simwa be- 
lieve that by singing and dancing and wav- 
ing of arms, with a rag of buckskin and a 
hair of your head and three leaves of a sel- 
dom-flowering plant, you can turn the for- 
tunes of war.^ This will be news for the 
fighting men, Chisera. 

The Chisera 

(Quiverings hut controlling herself.) Pada- 
hoon, now by this I am minded to prove 
what the gods can do against tale-bearers 



52 THE ARROW-MAKER 

and snakes in the grass ! {Balancing her medi- 
cine stick for a moment, she seems on the point 
of invoking the gods against him, but thinks 
better of it.) Nay, but the gods have greater 
affairs. {Sound of the drums in the direction 
of the camp.) Now I go to prepare strong 
medicine so that you shall know, Padahoon, 
how the gods choose between you and the 
Arrow-Maker. 

{She goes into the hut and lets fall the cur- 
tain.) 
{Enter Pamaquash, Yavi, and other youths 
to prepare for the Council) 

Pamaquash 
Is the Chisera advised of the Council.^ 

Padahoon 
Even now she prepares herself in the wick- 
iup. Where is the Chief .^ 

Pamaquash 
He stays only until the fighting men are 
gathered together. 

Padahoon 
I will join them. See that the Chisera is 
not disturbed before her time. 

{He goes out.) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 53 

Pamaquash 
Over there in front of the wickiup, one of 
you light the medicine fire, but do not light 
it until the Chisera comes. 

(Yavi and another prepare the fire.) 

Yavi 
How is it that the Chisera will discover 
the will of the gods ? 

Pamaquash 
Spread a blanket there, where the Chief 
and the Chisera will sit — {To Yavi.) By 
the casting of the seven sacred sticks. As the 
gods will they make the sticks to fall in a 
sign that she can read. 

Yavi 
Is it so that the Medicine Worker some- 
times fails .^ 

Pamaquash 
Medicine men have died at it before now 
— and better so, for otherwise they should 
have died by the law. 

Yavi 

Is that the law.^ 



54 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Pamaquash 
Surely, surely. For of what use is an 
advocate with the gods if he cannot get to 
them. It would be so with the Chisera. 

{^As the 'preparations have gone forward, 
the sound of the drums and rattles, 
with an occasional subdued whoop, has 
drawn nearer, and the Fighting Men, 
led hy the Chief, in full fighting gear, 
arrive in single file marching to the 
drums. The procession halts in the 
open space before the Chisera's hut.) 

Chief 

Let the Council sit. 

{Eleven of the elders seat themselves in a 
circle about the fire, turning toward the 
Chief. The others stand or sit atten- 
tively in the background. The Chief 
at the fire hands the ceremonial pipe to 
Yavi who lights it. Rain Wind blows 
a puff of smoke to all the gods, returning 
to his place in the Council; the pipe 
passes from hand to hand; when it has 
passed all about, each tribesman blow- 
ing smoke and saluting, the Chief rises 
and stands before the Chisera's hut.) 

Chisera, Chisera, come to Council! 



THE ARROW-MAKER 55 

The Chisera 
{Advancing to his side.) Rain Wind, Chief 
of Sagharawite, what will you have of me? 
(Pamaquash lights the medicine fire.) 

Chief 
To carry a matter too hard for us before 
the Friend of the Soul of Man. 



The Chisera 
Nothing that men contrive in their hearts 
is too hard for the gods. Speak, then! 

{Goes and sits beside the Chief.) 

Chief 
{Rising.) Tribesmen, for as many years as 
a fir tree needs to bear cones, I have been 
Chief in Sagharawite. Now I am old, and, 
like a badger, see only my own trail {grunts 
of dissent)^ and my legs carry me no farther 
than my eyes see. Therefore, since there is 
war with Castac concerning the pinon trees 
which are ours {grunts and exclamations) ^ it is 
right you have a younger man to lead you. 
But, since it has never happened that there 
must be a war leader chosen while there Is a 
chief alive and sitting in Council, I think It 



56 THE ARROW-MAKER 

well to inquire how the gods stand toward us. 
Tribesmen, what do you say ? 

(Sits with great dignity^ 

Choco 
{Rising and saluting the Chief with lifted 
hand. Speaking with great deliberation and 
winning sober approval.) Chief Rain Wind 
has said. The occasion is strange and the 
candidates of such diverse but equal merit 
that it is impossible for a just man to choose 
between them. Let the Chisera carry it to 
the gods. 

Chief 
This is truth which Choco says — whom 
the gods will favor they favor. They are not 
greatly bound to the choice of men. 

The Council 
Good counsel! good counsel! 

{Assent from the bystanders.) 

Tavwots 

{Continuing^ with earnestness.) Tribesmen, 
I am not myself of two minds in this busi- 
ness. I speak freely for Padahoon according 
to our custom which is, without discredit to 



THE ARROW-MAKER 57 

the Arrow-Maker, for the leadership of the 
elder. But at least let us remember that the 
gods have high affairs; they are not always 
listening to the gossip of the camp-fire and 
hut. What word have they of Sagharawite 
except as the Chisera carries it.^* If we put 
the choice to them, let her know what we 
are thinking In our hearts. Let Simwa and 
Sparrow Hawk declare it so that we and the 
gods shall know how they stand toward the 
conduct of this war. I have said. 

{Seats himself amid general approval.) 

Old Men 
Good counsel! Good counsel! 

Tribesmen 
Simwa! Padahoon! The Arrow-Maker! 
Padahoon! 

Chief 
Padahoon, you have the more years; say 
what you will do. And do you, Chisera, bear 
it well in your heart as you go up before the 
Friend of the Soul of Man. 

The Chisera 
The trail of the gods is hard and none may 



58 THE ARROW-MAKER 

walk therein save those that walk sincerely. 
Speak, then! 

Padahoon 

(Rising.) Chief and tribesmen, you know 
me. What I think in my heart, 1 say; and 
what I say I do. The pinon trees are ours, 
since the time of our father's fathers (general 
assent), and this is a vain fight for the men of 
Castac. Inasmuch as they have crossed our 
borders, they do evilly, but they are also 
Paiutes, as we are, and sons of the Bear. 
Aforetime when the Tecuyas came against 
us, they were as our brothers. Now, were I 
war leader, I should leave them at Pahrump 
and, going up behind the ridge of Toorape, 
strike at their villages. When we have their 
women and children and their stores, we can 
make terms with our brothers of Castac. So 
shall we save our honor and our allies. 

Indians 
Good counsel! Ugh! Huh! Padahoon! 
Good counsel! 

Chief 
Speak, Simwa! 

Simwa 
(Rising.) Shall I call a thief my brother, 



THE ARROW-MAKER 59 

and Is a poacher my fellow that I should 
respect him? Sons of the Bear are the men of 
Castac? Aye, bastard sons, and the coyote is 
their mother. {Grunts and cries of approval.) 
The Castacs have filled up our springs and 
driven our deer. They have stalked our 
hunters in the hills. {Grunts.) Aye, but we. 
have given the stalkers arrows of ours to 
keep. {Grunts of satisfaction.) Shall we go 
after our arrows, men of Sagharawite, or 
shall we wait until our "brothers" of Castac 
come and stroke us.^* I am not so old as 
Padahoon, nor so wise, but, by the Bear that 
fathered us, were I war leader for the space 
of one moon, there would be no more men of 
Castac to trouble our harvest. 

Young Men 
Simwa! Simwal The Arrow-Maker! 

Old Men 
Padahoon! Padahoon! 

Chief 
Tribesmen, the wisdom of Padahoon Is 
sound, and such as every man has In his own 
head; but the speech of Simwa Is a water of 
mirage about our understanding. Shall we 
try what the gods will do? 

{Nods and grunts of approval.) 



6o THE ARROW-MAKER 

Old Men 
The gods — the Chisera — the Chlsera! 

Chief 
The best of the spoil of Castac is yours, 
Chisera, if the choice be fortunate. 

The Chisera 
(Rising to begin.) I want no spoil; this is 
also my quarrel. How will you have the ven- 
ture tried .^ 

Indians 

The sticks! The sacred sticks! 

{The Chisera produces the sticks from 
her medicine hag, and hands them to one 
of the Old Men. To each of the others 
who will dance with her {two or three) 
she gives a fetish from, her hag. They 
have already put on appropriate head- 
dresses and are prepared for dancing. 
She motions the rattles to hegin. Behind 
her are the Old Men, with the drums and 
rattles; on each side, the Fighting Men 
seated on the ground. The dance hegins, 
the Chisera singing. The Old Men 
keep up a crooning accompaniment; 
from time to time the Fighting Men join 



THE ARROW-MAKER 6i 

the singing and exhibit a growing ex- 
citement as the dance progresses. At 
intervals, one and another of them, leaps 
to his feet and joins the dance. At the 
last, the Chi SERA, whirling rapidly, 
falls to the ground. Instantly the rattles 
are stopped, and the people wait in sus- 
pense the word of the gods. The women 
are seen to steal up through the toyon 
hushes. The Chisera lifts herself 
slowly on one elbow, as if waking from 
a drugged sleep. She stretches out her 
hand for the sacred sticks. She drops 
them with a quick turn of the wrist, 
gathers them up and drops them again, 
seeking for an augury. She throws up 
the arm with the medicine stick and 
begins to chant.) 

The Chisera 

The bows of Castac shall be broken. 
The bowstring shall break asunder. 
The bows of thy foes shall be broken and 
the vultures come to the battle. 

{Excitement and confusion.) 

Indians 
The omen, the omen! the war leader! 



62 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
{Chanting) 

The Maker of Arrows shall lead you. 
He that makes arrows of eagles' feathers, 
Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, he shall lead you, 
Simwa shall break the bows of Castac. 

Tribesmen 
Simwa ! 

( The Indians break into a great shout for 
Simwa. Rain Wind puts a collar of 
hears^ claws about Simwa's neck^ lifts 
his zvar-bonnet and places it on his head. 
Simwa raises his war-club with a great 
shout, dancing about the half-prostrate 
form of the Chisera, the Fighting Men 
one by one falling into the dance with 
wild exultant movements, chanting.) 

The bows of Castac shall be broken! 
The bowstring shall break asunder ! 
He shall break the bows of Castac! 

{As they pass out on the war trail shouting, 
the women are seen to come to the help 
of the Chisera.) 

CURTAIN 



ACT SECOND 



ACT SECOND 

Scene. — The campody of Sagharawite, three 
months later , near the new wickiup of the 
Arrow-Maker. At the rights the house of 
Rain Wind, and behind all a spring un- 
der a clump of dwarf oaks. A little trail 
runs between stones to connect the Arrow- 
Maker with the rest of the campody, and 
beyond it the valley rises gently to the 
Sierra foothills, brooding under the spring 
haze. A little to the fore of Simwa's house 
lies a great heap of blankets, baskets, and 
camp utensils, displayed to the best advan- 
tage, the wedding dower of the Chiefs 
daughter. By her father^ s house Bright 
Water is being dressed for bridal by her 
young companions. They braid her hair, 
paint her face, tie her moccasins, and 
arrange her beads over the robe of white 
doeskin; they laugh as they work and are 
happily important as is the custom of 
bridesmaids. The older women are win- 
nowing grain and grinding at the metate. 

At the left and front, Simwa, Tavwots, and 
others are gambling with dice made of 



66 THE ARROW-MAKER 

halves of hlack-walnut hulls, filled with 
pitch; the number indicated hy bits of 
shell embedded in the pitch. They are 
shaken in a small basket and turned out 
on a basket plaque. 
The older men look on., smoking. Tavwots is 
broad-faced and merry , and does not neg- 
lect to ogle the girls at intervals, which 
causes them to giggle and hide their heads 
in their blankets. The men have on their 
holiday dress, especially the younger com- 
panions of SiMWA. 

Tavwots 
{Throwing.) Five! 

SiMWA 

{Throwing.) And five again! 

Indians 
Hi! Hi! 

Tavwots 
Four! ' 

SiMWA 

Seven! {Exclamations.) 

Seegooche 
{Bringing a blanket.) Here, let us spread 



THE ARROW-MAKER 67 

the blanket where the newly married pair 
shall sit when first my daughter comes to 
her husband's house. 

{The women assist heVj spreading it in 
front of Simwa's house.) 

TiAWA 

And this time next year, may you be a 
grandmother. 

Seegooche 
I pray so. To-morrow I shall go to the 
Chisera and get a charm to make it sure. 

Wacoba 
Does not the Chisera come to the wedding.^ 

Seegooche 
I wished it so, but Simwa has no faith in 
magic medicine. He thinks we show her too 
much respect because of her mumblings and 
wavings of arms. 

Wacoba 
It would have been neighborly to invite her. 

TiAWA 

I should be afraid lest some mischief came 
of this neglect. 



6S THE ARROW-MAKER 

Seegooche 
So am I; but Simwa would not have her 
asked. 

(She passes to her own hut and brings out 
grain and pine nuts, with which the 
other women fill their ceremonial bas- 
kets.) 

TiAWA 

No doubt Simwa feels that the gods have 
done so much for him that he can afford to 
dispense with an advocate. 



Haiwai 

{Who has approached unnoticed.) Small 
wonder he thinks so when you remember how 
he brought our men back scatheless with the 
spoil of Castac. Seegooche, I bring the best 
of my share to grace your daughter's wed- 
ding. {Offers basket.) 

Seegooche 

{Taking it and handing it about.) My 
thanks to you. {Noticing the papoose which 
she carries strapped in a basket at her back.) 
And who is this that comes to my house un- 
invited .^ 



THE ARROW-MAKER 69 

Haiwai 

Nay, but he came to mine but five days 
since; and already he grips like a man! 

{Showing him about proudly.) 

TiAWA 

Hey, little warrior! 

TUIYO 

Ah, let me have him, Haiwai! I will hold 
him carefully. 

(Still seated, she reaches up her arms for 
the child and coos over it.) 

Bright Water 
Let me! 

( Takes the basket from Tuiyo and rocks 
the basket, crooning.) 

Hey, little dove, hush, little dove, 
'T is the wind rocking 
Thy nest in the pine tree. 
Hey, little dove. 

White Flower 
Chief's daughter, do you think you will be 
able to do so well by your husband.^ 

(Bright Water gives back the child to 
its mother in great confusion.) 



70 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Seegooche 
Do not plague her. (The women return to 
their work.) It is the way with maids, the 
nearer they are to mothering the less they 
wish to hear of it. 

TiAWA 

Still I would see the Chisera if I were you. 
It is a pity she is not invited. 

TUIYO 

{Painting Bright Water.) Tell me, See- 
gooche, do I put the white on her cheeks too, 
or only on the forehead. 

Seegooche 
{Alarmed.) No, no white at all, not on 
her wedding day. It is an evil omen. 

TuiYo 
{Wiping it of hastily.) Then I will take it 
off again. All the misfortune be on my head. 

Bright Water 
Never fear, mother, I am so defended by 
happiness no evil could get near me. 

White Flower 
Besides, the bride of Simwa need fear no 



THE ARROW-MAKER 71 

omens. The luck of her husband will protect 
her. 

TuiYO 
(JViih a final touchy There, come to the 
spring and see how lovely you are. 

{The girls all rise.) 

Tavwots 
That's bad medicine you make for us 
unmarried men. 

Bright Water 
(Standing forth in her bridal array,) Is it so 
bad, Simwa.^ 

(SiMWA answers with his eyes.) 

Tavwots 
Already he is speechless, and I have 
staked him my collar of elks' teeth as a charm 
against it. 

Bright Water 

Tavwots, you have eaten meadowlarks' 
tongues. If you had a wife, you would keep 
her in a gambling basket. {At the spring.) 
Now I need only flowers for my hair. Let us 
go get them. {The girls go out.) 



72 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Tavwots 
(Throwing down his collar of elks^ teeth.) 
By the Bear, Simwa, I do not know how it is 
you persuade the gods to be always on your 
side. First you are made war leader, then 
you marry the Chiefs daughter, and now 
you have my collar of elks' teeth to top all. 

Simwa 
{Gathering up the stakes.) Will you take a 
chance to have it back again .^ 

Tavwots 
I would, if I had anything to stake you; 
but my luck has left me little but my shirt. 

Simwa 
I will play you for that. 

Tavwots 
Not until after the wedding. {Rises.) 

Simwa 
As you like. Your shirt against the collar. 
Do you play, friends .^ 

First Indian 
Not I. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 73 

Yavi 

Nor I. The luck is all to Simwa. {All rise.) 



Tavwots 
Yes. One would think he had been court- 
ing the Chisera. 

Simwa 
(Who has risen, turning sharply.) How? 

Tavwots 
I said I could not guess how you manage 
to be always winning, unless you have made 
love to the Chisera, and she has persuaded 
the gods for you. (Slapping him on the back.) 
Why, this is the first time you were ever 
accused of love-making and looked sourly 
over it! 

Simwa 
(Smirking.) No fault of mine if the women 
like a good figure. 

Tavwots 
No advantage either from this time hence- 
forward. Here comes Chief Rain Wind to 
marry you to his daughter. 



74 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Chief 
(Issuing from his wickiup in full holiday 
dress, blanketed.) Where is she? 

Seegooche 
She gathers flowers with her young com- 
panions. She comes presently. 

Chief 
Bid the married women prepare to bless 
the bridal. Are the guests all here.^ 

Seegooche 
Choco and the others who went out to 
hunt early this morning have not yet re- 
turned. 

Chief 
I would speak with them when they come. 
And Padahoon.? 

Tavwots 
I do not know, unless he visits the Chisera. 

SiMWA 

{Startled.) Padahoon.^ 

Tavwots 
So often does he go to her house, if he did 



THE ARROW-MAKER 75 

not have a wife already, I should think he 
had an eye to her. The best cut of my next 
kill against my shirt, Simwa, that he goes to 
find ways to make good against you the loss 
of the leadership. 

Simwa 
((Complacently?) Padahoon cannot forgive 
me the victory at Castac. 

Tavwots 
Well, if the Tecuya Creek tribes keep up 
their quarreling, we are all likely to wish you 
had not killed off so many of their fighting 
men. 

Simwa 
I shall deal with the Tecuyas as I did with 
Castac. 

Tavwots 
The gods were with you. Next time 
Padahoon may win the Chisera to be on his 
side. 

Simwa 
(Suspiciously,) What do you mesm? Am 
I not war leader of Sagharawite.^ 

Tavwots 

So long as we and the gods approve you. 



76 777^ ARROW-MAKER 

But If I were the gods, and the Chisera came 
dancing before me — 

Chief 
Tavwots, your wit misleads you. The 
Chisera is not a subject for jest or the favor 
of men; she is an advocate with the gods for 
us. 

Tavwots 
Well, the gods have a handsome advocate. 
I should give her anything she asked. {Look- 
ing off.) See, bridegroom, the girls are danc- 
ing, and you not with them I 
(SiMWA and several of the younger men go out,) 

Chief 
{Detaining Tavwots.) Tavwots, what do 
you know of this Tecuya Creek matter .^^ 

Tavwots 
More than I like to spoil a feast-day with. 

Chief 
Nevertheless, tell it. 

Tavwots 
They have forbidden all the campodies 
east of us from fishing in the river. Also they 



THE ARROW-MAKER 77 

watch all the trails toward Toorape and take 
toll of passers. 

Chief 
On what grounds? 

Tavwots 
None, I think, except that they are able. 
A bowman of Tehachappi inquired of me 
how many fell at Castac, and I, thinking to 
glorify the tribe, — I told him. 

Chief 
What said he to that? 

Tavwots 
What I should have expected. He grinned 
upon me like a sick coyote and said, "They 
are poor allies, the dead." 

Indians 
Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! 

Chief 
Here are the hunters. They will know if 
there is mischief stirring. 
{Enter from the left, Choco, Pamaquash, and 
others, carrying game) 



yS THE ARROW-MAKER 

Tavwots 
And with the Arrow-Maker's own luck! 



Choco 
So far as the quarry goes. 

Chief 
But not for the hunters — ? 

Choco 
(To him.) Send the younger men away. I 
have a word for you. 

Chief 
You, Fleet-Foot, Yavi, all of you — carry 
the game to the women and help them dress 
it for the feast. (The young men take up the 
game and go out, leaving Choco, Tavwots, 
and the Old Men with the Chief.) Let us hear 
your word, Choco. 

Choco 
(Taking a long arrow from under his 
blanket.) What make you of that.^ 

Chief 
(Examining it.) Tecuya Creek, surely. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 79 

Old Men 
(Handing it about.) Tecuya — Tecuya. 

Chief 
Where did you find it? 

Choco 
Where I like least to see it — in the body 
of a friend. 

Men 

Ah — a — a — ah ! 

Chief 
What friend? 

Choco 

Winnedumah. He went out to the hunt 
yesterday and was to have joined us this 
morning at Deer Leap. I found him by the 
crossing of the trails, with that through him. 

Chief 
Bad business. What say you it means? 

Choco 
That the Tecuyas think we dare not 
avenge it. 



So THE ARROW-MAKER 

Chief 
Dare not! Simwa must hear of this, but 
not on his wedding day. To-morrow we will 
take counsel. I would I might have a word 
with Padahoon. 

Tavwots 
He is there on the barranca; I will call him. 
Oh — ee, Padahoon ! 

Padahoon 

(Appearing on the barranca.) What now? 
{Ironically.) Can not the Arrow-Maker so 
much as take a wife without calling all the 
tribes to witness t {Coming down the barranca^ 
noting their gravity.) What has happened? 
Is the Council called? 

Chief 
For to-morrow. In the mean time there is 
this. {Handing up the arrow.) 

Padahoon 

{Standing halfway down the bank as he 
examines it.) An arrow of Tecuya. Blood? 
Blood of Sagharawite? 

Tavwots 
Of Winnedumah. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 8i 

Padahoon 
{Blazing forth.) By the Bear that fathered 
us ! It is likely to prove an open wound in the 
honor of Sagharawite. Not ten sleeps have 
passed since the last of our fighting men 
returned from the killing of our blood broth- 
ers, and already we have a witness to our 
folly! The Tecuyas are three to one of us. 

Pamaquash 
But the luck of Simwa is more than three 
times that of Tecuya. 

Padahoon 
The fortunes of Simwa! What are they 
but the accidents of time and weather. A 
landslip on the trail, a rainstorm that wetted 
their bowstrings and left ours dry. The 
damp has slacked your wits. Rain Wind, 
that you are not able to distinguish between 
the Arrow-Maker and his luck. 

Chief 
The witness of the gods in his favor. 

Padahoon 
The gods are not always so attentive. 
Where was the luck of the Arrow-Maker that 



82 THE ARROW-MAKER 

it has not saved us from this? (Shaking the 
arrow as he descends.) Show me something 
which we owe to Simwa if you would have 
me trust in him. 

Chief 
I will show you the pit of your own heart, 
Padahoon, and the adder that bites at the 
root of it. You are jealous of the fame and 
the office of Simwa, but you shall not sink 
your venom in the minds of the Fighting 
Men. 

Padahoon 
I would I could sting them to understand 
that if Tecuya comes against us, they will 
not trust so much to luck as to war craft. 

Chief 
Understand yourself that whatever comes 
of this business of Tecuya, Simwa is still war 
leader. You are too old a man, Padahoon, 
to be told that whoever lessens the credit of 
the war, leader saps at the strength of Sag- 
harawite. 

Padahoon 

Aye, I am an old man and in my dotage 
when I seek to set years of good faith and 



THE ARROW-MAKER 83 

experience against the fortunate moments 
of a fool. 

Chief 

The Chief has spoken. No more of this 
until the Council. In the mean time, not a 
word to the women. It is an ill omen for a 
feast. 

(fle goes out ^followed by all butTAYWOTS, 
Choco, Pamaquash, and Padahoon.) 

Tavwots 
{Laying his hand on the shoulder of Pada- 
hoon.) By the Bear, Padahoon, I have been 
on your side in this matter heretofore, but 
now I think the Chief is right. It is an ill 
business setting men against the war leader 
in time of danger. 

Padahoon 
You too, Tavwots — you have looked at 
the lure of the Arrow-Maker's luck and do 
not see the snare which his want of wit 
spreads for your feet? 

Tavwots 
{Uncertainly.) But if the fortune of Simwa 
is not his own, whence is it? 



84 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Padahoon 
Tell me, Tavwots, when another man 
seeks favor from the gods, by whom does it 
come ? 

Tavwots 
By the Chisera. But what — 

Padahoon 
On the morning of the election, when I 
went from the Chief to advise the Chisera, 
I met Simwa by her hut. 

Pamaquash 
I also met him when I came back from 
Leaping Water to bring word to the women 
— he said he had been gathering eagles' 
feathers for his arrows. 

Padahoon 
So he said to me. Feathers for arrows 
when every man had his quiver full at his 
back! 

Tavwots 
But Simwa puts no faith in magic medi- 
cine. Why, he has not even asked the Chisera 
to his wedding! 



THE ARROW-MAKER 85 

Padahoon 
No, not even though the Chief's daughter 
urged it. i^A pause full of significance.) 

Tavwots 

No, no! Padahoon! Unless the Chisera 
owned to it herself, I would not believe it. 
The Chief is right. The wound of your 
jealousy festers and corrupts your tongue. 
{Turning his hack on Padahoon he claps 
Pamaquash on the shoulder.) Come and 
dance! 

Choco 
{Gathering his blanket around him.) Even 
if the Chisera owned it, I would not believe 
it. 

{The men move in the direction of the 
merrymaking and are met by the younger 
people, laughing and shouting for 
SiMWA. Padahoon watches them bit- 
terly for a while, and, revolving many 
things, draws his blanket up and de- 
parts in the direction of the Chisera's 
hut^ 

Pamaquash 
Come, Arrow-Maker, a speech for your 
bridal. {Laughter and approval^ 



86 THE ARROW-MAKER 

SiMWA 

(Drunk with popularity.) The war leader 
loves deeds rather than talking. 

Tavwots 
We have seen what your fighting is like. 
Give us a speech. 

SiMWA 

Friends and tribesmen, the fortune of 
Simwa is Simwa. Does the Bear take weap- 
ons against the woodchuck, and shall the 
sons of the Bear make charms against their 
enemies .f* The spoil of Castac is in our camp 
(cheers) and our young men hunt within 
their borders. (Applause.) If any of the 
tribes inquire where are the fullest harvests, 
the fattest deer, the prettiest maidens (he 
flings his blanket about Bright Water), bid 
him look for the land of Simwa the Arrow- 
Maker. (Shouts and laughter.) 

Young Men 
Come, now, a dance, a dance! Tavwots, 
dance for us ! 

(The cries increasing, Tavwots is pushed 
forward to dance, others cry for Pama- 
QUASH and Yavi, who join Tavwots, 



THE ARROW-MAKER ^7 

laughing^ to dance the blanket dance, all 
the others singing and keeping time with 
swaying bodies. The girls hover about 
the dancers, and as at certain points in 
the dance the Young Men attempt to 
cast their blankets about the heads of the 
girls, they duck and squeal. Finally, 
amid much laughter, each dancer cap- 
tures a girl, rubbing his cheek against 
hers, the Indian equivalent of a kiss. 
With great merriment the crowd moves 
off in the direction of the mesa, dis- 
closing Padahoon and the Chisera, 
who have come up unobserved.) 

Padahoon 
Come this way, Chisera. The girls are out 
on the mesa, dancing with the bride, and the 
women are grinding at the metate for the 
marriage feast. 

The Chisera 
But where is Simwa ? 

Padahoon 

With the bride, no doubt. Here is his 
wickiup, and here the marriage dower beside 
it. 



8S THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
All this? 

Padahoon 

Never so many gifts went to a wedding in 
Sagharawite. Every woman whose man 
came back safe from the war gave a basket 
or a blanket, and Simwa gave all of his share 
of the spoil of Castac. 

The Chisera 
And that, I doubt not, is bitter for you to 
see, Padahoon. 

Padahoon 
Why, as to that, Chisera, it is good to see 
spoil of our foes in the camp ; but the fighting 
men of Castac were our blood brothers. See, 
here is the blanket where the newly married 
pair shall sit to receive the blessings of the 
fruitful women. 

The Chisera 
(Bitterly.) But not the blessing of the 
Chisera. Never before, in my time, has there 
been a bride of Sagharawite but sent to ask 
my blessing. 

Padahoon 
Aye, but Simwa does not believe in charms 



THE ARROW-MAKER 89 

and spells. {The Chisera seems about to 
break out angrily^ but restrains herself. Pada- 
HOON watches her narrowly as he speaks.) 
Look, Chisera! Is not the bride fair? Fit to 
set a man beside himself with desiring? 

The Chisera 
She is but a child. Her breasts are scarcely- 
grown. No fit mate for a war leader. 

Padahoon 
{Watching her.) But a man so well fur- 
nished with wisdom need not look for it in a 
wife. Is it not so, Chisera? 

The Chisera 
Padahoon, why do you tell me this ? 

Padahoon 

{With the appearance of candor.) As often 
as I came to your house to get medicine, you 
asked me for news of the campody, and 
seemed best pleased with news of Simwa, the 
war leader; and with reason, since he has 
become the most notable man of the Paiutes. 
Yet, when I told you he was to be married 
to-day to the Chiefs daughter, you were slow 
to believe. Now tell me if I have lied, 
Chisera. 



90 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
You have not lied, Padahoon, but Simwa, 
he has lied. How long have you known this ? 

Padahoon 
Since the time of Taboose. 

The Chisera 
And why not told me? 

Padahoon 
How could I think the Chisera wished to 
know? It was a thing you might have heard 
from the women grinding meal or weaving 
baskets. But the Chisera does not often 
come to the village, except there is illness. 

The Chisera 
I have no time to gossip with the women. 
I have to go before the gods for them and 
their children. 

Padahoon 
And now that you are told, what will you 
do? 

The Chisera 
^ Is there so much to do? 



THE ARROW-MAKER 91 

Padahoon 
Only to give him your blessing. 

The Chisera 
{Bitterly.) Did I not give him that at 
Castac ? 

{Begins to search about among Simwa's 
effects^ 

Padahoon 
What seek you, Chisera? 

The Chisera 

The arrow ! the quiver ! Surely Simwa does 
not dance at his wedding wearing his quiver? 

Padahoon 

No; but when he is not wearing it, no man 
knows where he hides it. 

The Chisera 
{Searching.) The quiver! I must find the 
quiver! 

Padahoon 
'T is said he has a magic arrow in it of 
such power he would have it fall into no 
man's hands. 



92 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
(Muttering.) Aye, the arrow; the black 
arrow. 

Padahoon 
Chisera, why does this marriage disturb 
you? 

The Chisera 
Padahoon, why should you think it dis- 
turbs me? 

Padahoon 

You have come. 

The Chisera 
Why should not one maid come to the 
marriage of another? There is scarce two 
summers' difference between me and the 
Chief's daughter. 

Padahoon 

Yes, but you come in your blanket. Such 
has not been your custom when you have 
come among us on errands of healing; then 
you dressed sumptuously, as befitted one 
bearing the word of the gods. Now you come 
like an angry woman who would hide what 
is in her heart. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 93 

The Chisera 
{With dignity.) Cover your own heart, 
Padahoon, lest I ask what mischief breeds in 
it to bid you observe me so much. I have not 
forgot that you would have paid me a blanket 
to be made war leader in the room of Simwa. 



Padahoon 

{With ugly insinuation.) Ugh! huh! Per- 
haps I had been as fortunate as the Arrow- 
Maker, if, instead of giving it, I had offered 
to share it with you. 

The Chisera 
Kima! Padahoon, you do tempt me to 
try if I can curse. 

Padahoon 
{Conciliatory.) I have no wish to anger the 
friend of the gods, but I am a plain man. 
wishing good to my campody, and it seems 
not good to me that Simwa has grown sud- 
denly so great. 

The Chisera 
{Recovering herself.) What has that to do 
with the Chisera? 



94 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Padahoon 
I have known this Simwa since he was 
first tied in a basket, and, though he has 
grown to be war leader, I think he is most 
like a pod of rattleweed that is swollen to 
twice its size at the end of the season, yet 
has no more in it than at the beginning. And 
I do not know how, without the help of magic 
medicine, he has come to be what he is with 
so little in him. 

The Chisera 
The Chief's daughter has trusted him. 

Padahoon 

She loves him. {During this scene hursts 
of Indian music and singing have been heard 
at intervals. It grows louder. Padahoon and 
Chisera look off.) They come this way, 
Chisera. You are right. When a man has 
married so fair a wife, there is not much left 
to be done for him. 

The Chisera 

{With hitter irony ^ as she moves over against 
Simwa's hut and puts up her blanket.) I am 
not so sure. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 95 

TiAWA 

It is Chisera. 

Seegooche 
{With alarm.) Where is my daughter? 
(Bright Water enters with the young 
girls, laughing and talking. Her hair 
is braided with golden poppies and falls 
over her shoulders. She sees the Chi- 
sera standing, tall and still, by Sim- 
wa's hut, her whole figure shrouded in a 
blanket, which is drawn up to cover all 
of her face but the eyes.) 

Bright Water 

Who is it comes to my wedding uninvited? 
How her eyes burn upon me! 

Seegooche 
Hush! She will hear you. It is the 
Chisera. 

Bright Water 
The Chisera? Never have I seen her like 
this. But she has come to bring me a 
blessing. 

Seegooche 
Do not speak to her, my daughter; she is 
not in the humor for it. 



96 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Bright Water 
Shall I not be courteous to the first guest 
who has come to my husband's house? 
Chisera, I am pleased that you have come to 
bless my marriage. 

The Chisera 
(Out of her blanket.) Where Is Simwa? 

Bright Water 

He comes soon. {Going to her.) Last night 
I thought of you, and how you alone, of all 
Sagharawite, had kept away from my happi- 
ness — 

Seegooche 
Let be, daughter. {Pulling her sleeve.) It 
is ill stirring a coiled snake. ( To the Chisera, 
with intent to draw her off.) Come this way, 
Chisera, and I will show you the wedding 
presents. 

The Chisera 
{Lowering her blanket a little.) Show me 
the Arrow-Maker. 

{The elder men have entered, among them 
Rain Wind.) 

Chief 
What is this.^ 



THE ARROW-MAKER 97 

TiAWA 

It is the Chisera asking for Simwa. 

Men 

Ah! ah! ah — ah! 

(Exchanging glances of inquiry and 
amazement.) 

Chief 
Who is that behind her? 



Padahoon! 
Ugh! huh! 



Waco B A 

Men 



Chief 
So? Why does she cover her face? 

TiAWA 

She makes medicine in her blanket. 
{The Indians draw close in two groups, 
the women together and the men on the 
other side. They watch the Chisera un- 
easily. Bright Water stands a little 
apart, the bridesmaids moving timidly 
toward the elder women.) 



98 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
{Putting down her blanket^ The Arrow- 
Maker of Sagharawite is slow to the bridal. 

Bright Water 
He comes. He comes. 

{The young men enter ^ with Simwa in 
their midst, painted and befeathered as 
befits a handsome man on his wedding 
day. Observing the Chisera, he checks 
and falters in his walk.) 

Simwa 
Chisera! 

The Chisera 
Is it you, Simwa, who wed with the Chief's 
daughter.^ 

Simwa 
You are come, Chisera — {Wholly at a 
loss.) You are come — 

The Chisera 
I am come to your marriage, Simwa, 
though I am not invited. 

Bright Water 
But now that she is here, Simwa, you will 
ask her to bless us.^ 



THE ARROW-MAKER 99 

SiMWA 

{Recovering himself with an effort.) Surely, 
surely. But the married women have not 
blessed us yet. {Taking the bride^s hand and 
leading her to the blanket. They seat them- 
selves.) Come, Tiawa, have you no pine nuts 
in your basket? {With an effort to carry it off 
jovially.) What! will you have my wife dig 
roots before her wedding year is out.? 

( The married women take up their baskets 
and begin the ceremony of sprinkling 
the bride with nuts and seeds in token of 
fruitfulness.) 

The Chisera 

iWarningly.) Simwa! Simwa! 

{The women leave off, huddling together, 
looking fearfully at the Chisera.) 

Seegooche 
{Getting between her and Bright Water.) 
What harm to you, Chisera, if the Arrow- 
Maker weds where he loves 1 

The Chisera 
{Looking steadily at Simwa.) Aye — where 
he loves — {Pleadingly.) Simwa I Simwa! 
{She drops her blanket and turns away.) 



100 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Seegooche 
{Lifting her basket to her shoulder again.) 
Let us go on with the marriage. 

Padahoon 
{To the company.) If the Chisera knows 
any reason why this marriage should not go 
on, should she not say it openly ? A word half 
spoken breeds suspicion faster than flies at 
killing time. 

Chief 
What talk is this of reasons.^ Have I not 
the disposing of my daughter in marriage .f* 
Reason enough, if I wish it so. 

Padahoon 
That which is most reasonable to men, 
the gods see otherwise. 

{A murmur begins in the camp^ but 
SiMWA takes it up instantly.) 

SiMWA 

He is thinking of the war with Castac. 
Truly, you were not eye to eye with the gods 
on that occasion, Padahoon. 

Padahoon 
Were I so sure it was of the gods, I had 
not stood out so against it. 



THE ARROW-MAKER loi 

Chief 
Was not Simwa approved of the gods 
through the mouth of the Chisera ? 

The Chisera 
So you think. 

Chief 
Is there another Arrow-Maker so skilled 
between Tehachappi and Tecuya? Are any 
shafts better fashioned to fly straight to the 
mark? Is there any hunter knows more 
surely where the herds feed, or strikes quicker 
the slot of a deer? 

The Chisera 
As you think. 

Chief 
Let be this talk of reasons. This is mere 
woman's mischief, to nod and wink and to 
make signs with the eyebrows. A woman 
would have you think reason enough for 
marrying if she liked or misliked it. Chisera, 
this is no matter for the gods, but a plain 
mating of man and maid. 

The Chisera 
(Flashing.) Since when have you talked 



I02 THE ARROW-MAKER 

with the gods, that you think to lesson me 
in their business? 

Chief 
Since you have been a father, to know 
reasons for the bestowal of daughters. 

{Grunts of appreciation.) 

The Chisera 
{Letting her blanket slip to her breast.) 
Know, then, that if these are your reasons. 
Rain Wind, there is no more meat in them 
than in the husk of acorns. If good fortune 
hangs on all Simwa's movements, it is by 
reason of the medicine I make that binds 
him in the favor of the Friend. 



SiMWA 

{Leaning on his elbows ^ with the manner of 
being quite at ease.) You are very free with 
your blessing, Chisera, if it is so; for it is 
well known in the camp that Simwa, the 
Arrow-Maker, does not believe in charms, 
nor seek them. 

Indians 

{Grunting in assent.) Ugh! huh! 



THE ARROW-MAKER 103 

The Chisera 
(Letting jail her blanket in a hurst of indig- 
nation.) "Nor seek them!" — Ah! Simwa! 
Simwa! 

{A short pause of embarrassment and con- 
sternation ensues. Then Padahoon, in 
a manner meant to seem impartial — ) 



Padahoon 
The medicine of the Chisera is very power- 
ful, but one must allow a little credit to the 
gods. Simwa was chosen war leader by the 
trial of the seven sticks. As the gods willed, 
they made the sticks to fall. Is it not so, 
Chisera 1 



The Chisera 

{Sullenly ^ from her blanket.) I do not know. 
I did not look. {Letting fall her blanket and 
speaking proudly.) I had persuaded the 
Friend to give victory to the war leader. 
What should I care for the sticks.^ A day 
and a night I made medicine, and the sign 
was sure. I said "Simwa" and the gods 
confirmed it. 

{The Indians remain silent^ hut draw a 
little away from Simwa.) 



104 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Bright Water 
(Rising and turning toward her.) Chisera, 
why should you make medicine for Simwa? 

The Chisera 
Chiefs daughter, do not ask. 

Bright Water 
Chiefs daughter I am, and wife of the war 
leader. Why should you concern yourself 
with his affairs ? 

The Chisera 
{After a 'pause ^ with great dignity.) Because 
he loved me. 

Indians 
Ah! Ah — ah! Ah! 

Simwa 
(Laughing.) The Friend of the gods has 
eaten rattleweed. Does a man love a wild 
woman who goes muttering and waving her 
arms, when she should be weaving and 
grinding meal.^ Would he take a wander- 
thought to his bed, and have witless chil- 
dren? Sooner I had a snake in my hut to run 
and tattle to the gods of me. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 105 

Tavwots 
(To Padahoon.) Now, if it is true that he 
owes his fortune to the gods, they have 
deserted him, else he would not speak so to 
a jealous woman. 

SiMWA 

(Looking long at the Chisera, haggard and 
unpainted, her blanket trailing^ and then to the 
Chiefs daughter^ and hack again, all the eyes 
of the campody following.) Is there any come- 
liness in a witch, that a man should desire 
her? 

Seegooche 
(Alarmed.) Simwa, Simwa! If you have 
no care for yourself, at least remember my 
daughter! 

Simwa 
(Rising.) Have no care, mother. If I do 
not believe she can bless, neither do you 
believe that she can curse. 

Bright Water 
Mother, let be. If this be true that she 
speaks, I am already cursed. 

Simwa 
(Going to his wife,) What have we to do 



io6 THE ARROW-MAKER 

with blessings or cursings? The Chisera is 
unsound in her mind. I have seen her danc- 
ing in the hills sometimes where I went to 
gather eagle's feathers for my arrows, and 
her madness has made a curious tale of it. 

Bright Water 
I would I might believe it. 

SiMWA 

{With returning complacency.) Do you 
find it so hard to have a husband whom other 
women admire.^ 

Padahoon 

Chief and tribesmen, if it be true that 
Simwa values charms so little, let him declare 
what it is he keeps sewed in his quiver so 
precious that he must hide it even on his 
wedding day. 

{Murmurs. The Chisera, in alarm, en- 
deavors to check Padahoon. Simwa 
turns upon him with a snarl.) 

Simwa 
Kima! {Wildly.) You cannot prove that 
I had it of the Chisera! 

Padahoon 

{Suddenly darting out two fingers from his 



THE ARROW-MAKER 107 

mouthy moving them rapidly in the manner of 
a snake^s tongue^ with a hissing sound.) Snake 
of two tongues! Now I know you for the 
man you are, braggart and liar! 

SiMWA 

Coyote whelp ! 

(SiMWA grasps a war weapon, a stone tied 
in a crotched stick, from the heap of 
wedding gifts, and smites Padahoon 
to the earth, standing threateningly over 
him. The others stiffen into tense atti- 
tudes, drawing their blankets tighter, 
their eyes burning bright. Padahoon 
draws the knife that hangs in a sheath 
at his neck.) 

Chief 
{Putting SiMWA back with a hand at his 
breast.) Peace! Though you are made my 
son by this day's work, you shall not usurp 
judgment, {To Padahoon, as Simwa moves 
slowly back, his weapon lowered.) What 
charge do you make? 

Padahoon 

{Rising on his elbow to spit blood.) Thou 
art a liar, if ever there was one in Saghara- 



io8 THE ARROW-MAKER 

wite, and have nothing which is not owed to 
the Chisera. 

Chief 
Speak straight, Padahoon, or, by the 
Bear, I shall let him kill you where you lie. 

Padahoon 
Three nights after the return from Tecuya, 
I saw you at the Chisera's house — and 
again in the rains — and at the time of 
Taboose. 

Chief 
Is it so, Chisera? 

The Chisera 
It is so. 

Padahoon 
Did you go there for love or profit? 

(SiMWA lets slip his weapon from his hand 
to the ground.) 

Chief 
Simwa, if you were the son of my body, I 
should not know which to believe. 

Simwa 
Believe him if you like. {Sullenly.) If a 



THE ARROW-MAKER 109 

skunk walk in my trail and leave a stink 
there, shall I go out of my way to deny that 
it is mine? No doubt the woman is both 
mad and shameless. 

{Murmurs of indignation.) 

Seegooche 
{Afraid., hut furious.) Then if you are 
shameless, begone! Stay not to vex the mar- 
riage of a maiden. Go! Have to do with 
your gods, and leave my daughter. 

Bright Water 
Mother! Mother! 

The Chisera 
Shameless, am I, Seegooche? Then there 
is one of your blood shall know a greater 
shame. Great hunter does she think her 
man? Aye, but she shall come to dig roots 
for him when he fails of the hunt and be glad 
of the offal the other women give her for 
pity. For this I say to you, tribesmen of 
Sagharawite, that, though I cannot curse, 
yet I can take back my blessing. 

Bright Water 
All this is of no account, Chisera. No 



no THE ARROW-MAKER 

doubt you can contrive against the fame of 
Simwa and bespeak the gods to neglect him; 
I wait to hear what proof you have that he 
loved you. 

Seegooche 
Do not vex her, daughter, lest she turn 
the gods against you also. 

Bright Water 

No matter, mother. What Simwa bears, 
I can bear. What proof, Chisera.^ 

The Chisera 
What proof .^ 

(She turns toward Simwa, j altering. He 
smiles contemptuously .) 

Bright Water 
That Simwa loved you. 

The Chisera 
(Slowly, her eyes on Simwa.) He came to 
my hut — in the night — Chief's daughter 
(boldly), even as he comes this night to yours. 

Bright Water 
(Impatiently.) But did he love you? 



THE ARROW-MAKER iii 

The Chisera 

He made me so believe. {Looking about 
and noting the lack of conviction.) How else 
had he held me, since last the poppies 
bloomed, a lure to snare the favor of the 
gods ? Does he say he was not blessed ? Aye, 
twice blessed. {She takes from her bosom the 
amulet.) Was it not this you gave me to 
make medicine upon, to keep your lover safe 
in war t Twice blessed he was ; but, as I made 
my blessing, so do I break it. 

{Drops the amulet and grinds it underfoot.) 

Indians 

{Moving uneasily.) Ah! Ah! 

The Chisera 
And this is the proof that I speak truly. 
From this day, whoever brings me arrows 
shall have medicine upon them without 
price, and who would have news of the pass- 
ing of the deer shall have it for the asking. 
Only Simwa shall have nothing but his own 
wit and the work of his hands, and by what 
befalls, you shall know the truth. 

Bright Water 
By this I know the truth! You never 
loved him, or you would not now betray him. 



112 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
(Moving toward the trail.) And you, 
Bright Water, that think to lie in your hus- 
band's arms this night, know that I have 
lain there before you. And you shall not 
dare to laugh as a bride laughs, lest it be to 
him my voice in the dusk; and if he turns 
and sighs in his sleep, you shall wonder if he 
dreams of the Chisera. Long and anxiously 
you shall look in the trail when he is late 
from the hunt, and the men shall mock him 
that he could not keep the blessing he had 
got. (Bright Water turns despairingly and 
sinks on the ground^ holding her mother by the 
knees and sobbing bitterly. All the Indians 
draw away from Simwa, leaving him standing, 
discomfited, in the middle of the camp. All look 
with awe and dread at the Chisera. She pro- 
duces a small medicine stick from under her 
blanket and twirls it with menace. Going.) 
As for you, Arrow-Maker of Sagharawite, 
though I cannot curse, yet am I the friend 
of the gods, and they have regard to me. 
Look well to yourself, Simwa. Look well. 

CURTAIN 



ACT THIRD 



ACT THIRD 

Time. — One year later. 

Scene. — The top of Toorape, where the tribe 
has been driven by their enemies of 
Tecuya. The women and children hide in 
holes in the rocks. Off to the right on a 
jutting boulder^ against the sky, stands 
Yavi, as sentinel; two or three wounded lie 
about. Crouching over the fire are See- 
GoocHE, Waco B A, and Tiawa, showing 
in their dress and appearance the marks 
of a year of distress ^ as do all the others as 
they appear upon the scene. 

Yavi 

{To them.) St— st! 

Waco B A 
(Rising.) Some one on the trail! 

Seegooche 
What is it.? 

Waco B A 
(To her.) Hush! 



ii6 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Yavi 
The Sparrow Hawk! 

Seegooche 
News from the Fighting Men ! 

TiAWA 

The gods grant it be good news ! 

(Padahoon, weary and with disordered 
dress ^ comes clambering up the face of 
the cliff.) 

Yavi 

{Calling down in a whisper.) What news ? 

TiAWA 

Are the gods still against us ? 

Padahoon 
As they have been since the day the 
Chisera took away her blessing from the 
war leader. 

Women 
{Wailing.) Ai! Ai! 

{Others come out of the rocks to join in the 
general grief.) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 117 

Waco B A 
Could you but persuade her to give it back 
again. {Hopefully.) 

Padahoon 
If I cannot, then this is like to be the last 
fight of Sagharawite! 

Wacoba 

If you cannot, then must the chief enforce 
her, for since we were driven from our homes, 
neither the anguish of the women nor the 
hunger of the children has moved her. 

Padahoon 
I will speak with her at once. 

{He goes up among the rocks, and the 
women huddle wretchedly together watch- 
ing.) 

Wacoba 
Do you think she will consent.^ 

Seegooche 
She cannot choose but do it. The men 
have kept her supplied with venison, but she 
must know that there is hunger in the camp 
of the women and children. 



ii8 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Wacoba 

And that the Tecuyas have taken the best 
of our fighting men. 

TiAWA 

But no man of hers. I have always said — 
but because 1 am old nobody minds me — 
that if there was one of her household to go 
to battle, she would need no persuasion to 
go before the gods. I would Simwa had given 
her a child. 

Wacoba 
{Aside from Seegooche.) Then you be- 
lieve that he was her lover .^ 

TiAWA 

What else .^ Would any but a jilted woman 
sit and mope while our wickiups go up in 
smoke .^ 

Wacoba 
I would she had a child, but not Simwa's. 
One of that breed is enough. 

Seegooche 

{Who has moved nearer the hut.) Hush, see 
the curtain! {They start.) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 119 

TiAWA 

It was the wind. 



Seegooche 
They say she has not made medicine since 
my daughter's marriage. 

Wacoba 
{Looking off to the right where the mountains 
dip abruptly valley ward.) And to think that 
even now they must be fighting under 
Toorape. 

Seegooche 
Hush! Hush! 

(Padahoon and the Chisera come out 
of the hut. The Chi sera's whole ap- 
pearance is of heartbreak and neglect. 
She leans against the boulders at the 
left, holding her blanket close, and 
answers Padahoon sullenly,) 

Padahoon 
And is this all your answer? 

The Chisera 
The trail is cold between the gods and me. 



120 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Padahoon 
Then you will not make medicine? 

The Chisera 
And would not if I could. 

Padahoon 
Have you turned renegade, Chisera, and 
side with our enemies of Tecuya? 

The Chisera 
No, Padahoon, but I see that no good 
comes of persuading the gods to do more for 
man than his natural destiny. 

Padahoon 
You have always persuaded them to our 
advantage. 

The Chisera 
What good came of having Simwa made 
war leader? Had I not persuaded them to 
meddle with that business, the leadership 
would have fallen to you as the elder, and we 
should not now be without allies in our need. 

Padahoon 
I am not sure the gods had so much to do 



THE ARRO W-MAKER 1 2 1 

with that: but If the mischief came through 
them, the gods must repair It. 

The Chisera 
I win not make medicine. Send the women 
away. 

Padahoon 
What shall I say to them? 

The Chisera 

To count themselves already blessed In 

having those for whom they desire blessing. 

Tell them that to have loved and given the 

breast Is enough to salve the wounds of loss. 

Padahoon 
You are hard, Chisera. 

The Chisera 
I am jealous of their griefs. Their very 
pangs I envy them. Who Is there of mine 
goes to this war that I should grieve for his 
wounding or look for his return.^ {She looks 
bitterly toward the women who have crept from 
the caves to peer from the rocks in the direction 
of the fighting.) Persuade me no more, Pada- 
hoon. I win not do It. 

{She disappears among the rocks to the 



122 THE ARROW-MAKER 

left, and Padahoon turns to the women 
who crowd around him anxiously,) 

Wacoba 

Has she promised ? 

TiAWA 

Will she help us? 

Padahoon 
The Chisera will not make medicine. 

Women 
{Rocking themselves to and fro.) Ai! Ai! 

Seegooche 
Is it because our gifts are so small? She 
should consider how hard it is to get venison 
in war-time. 

Padahoon 
Her heart is so full of bitterness that there 
is no room in it for the gods. 

Wacoba 
That is Simwa's doing — though he is your 
son, Seegooche, I must say it — there was 
no better Chisera between here and Teha- 
chappi until he curdled her wisdom with his 
lies. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 123 

TiAWA 

Ah, Simwa! I spit upon his name. 

(The women spit between their teeth with 
sharp hisses.) 

Waco B A 
How the Chisera hates him! 

Padahoon 
How she loves him I 

TiAWA 

(Struck with this,) You think so? Yet 
there is not one word of the evil she said of 
him a year ago that has not come to pass. 

Women 
Ai! Ai! On him and us. 

Padahoon 

And hate would have been satisfied to 
strip him of his honors, but now she lets the 
whole tribe go down in the ruin of her 
love. 

Waco B A 

(Hopefully.) Then if she loves him, per- 
haps he can persuade her. 



124 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Padahoon 

As well persuade the rattlesnake not to 
strike him. 

Seegooche 
If the Chief should insist, she would not 
dare refuse. 

Padahoon 

There is little she would not dare. But 
you can try. 

Women 
Let us bring the Chief. {They go out.) 

The Chisera 
(Reappearing cautiously.) Have they gone ? 

Padahoon 

To bring Rain Wind to command you. 

The Chisera 
Can he command the sap to rise or bid the 
deer-weed spring when there is no rain? My 
power is gone from me. 

Padahoon 

Chisera, it is a grave matter to refuse serv- 
ice in time of war — be advised by the word 
of a friend — 



THE ARROW-MAKER 125 

The Chisera 
Has the Chisera indeed a friend? 

Padahoon 
Have I not proved — 

The Chisera 
Padahoon, when did you ever visit me for 
any but your own advantage? For what else 
did you stir me against Simwa, and why now 
do you seek my blessing but to make good 
against him the honor of which he has robbed 
you ? Does any one of you bring me venison 
except for profit or grind my meal for love? 

Padahoon 
Seeing how little good you had of the love 
of the Arrow-Maker, why should you desire 
it? 

The Chisera 
You spit poison like a toad, Padahoon, but 
your fangs are drawn. The Arrow-Maker 
never loved me. 

Padahoon 

{^Approaching her with the manner of having 
gained a point,) If you have the wit to know 
so much — 



126 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
{Commanding him from her with a gesture 
as she seats herself.) Padahoon, there is no 
more power in me than there is tang in a 
wet bowstring. {She rocks her head between 
her hands.) It is gone from me as the shadow 
goes up the mountain. As the wild geese go 
northward at the end of the rains, so is my 
power — How shall I win it again who can- 
not win the love of man? . . . Ah, leave me, 
Padahoon, leave me! 

{She covers her head with her blanket.) 
{Enter Chief Rain Wind, stumbling blindly, 
led by his wife and followed at a respectful 
distance by the other women. He walks with 
dignity, in spite of his blindness, and has on 
all the insignia of rank except the war- 
bonnet. Seegooche has a hasty, eager man- 
ner, ingratiating but timid.) 

Padahoon 
{To them.) You will get nothing. 

Chief 
I do not come asking: I command. 

Seegooche 
No, no, do not be harsh with her! Let me 



THE ARROW-MAKER 127 

speak, we women will understand one 
another. 

Chief 

(Putting his wife aside.) Chisera. {The 
Chisera starts at the tone of authority, hut 
controls herself.) Friend of the gods. {She 
makes a movement of protest.) I have that to 
say to you which should be said but once, 
which to say at all is shame to you. Great 
powers have been given you to turn the 
favor of the gods as a willow is turned in the 
wind. How is it you have not turned them 
when your people are in war and bad fortune ? 
We are driven as hunted rabbits to hide in 
holes in the rocks, and our fighting men are 
outnumbered; even now we do not know if 
there be one left alive of them — Our tribe 
shall be as a forgotten tale unless you inter- 
cede for us. 

The Chisera 
{Over her shoulder.) What? Is it possible 
Simwa cannot bring this affair to pass with- 
out the gods? 

Seegooche 

{Breaking in eagerly.) Yes, yes; the gods 
are very great, there is nothing without them. 



128 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chisera 
{Still to the Chief.) Does SImwa ask it? 

Chief 
The chief commands it. 

Seegooche 
(Cringingly.) No. No. Chisera, mind 
him not! He is not himself, the hunger and 
the loss of battle do distress him. We beg of 
you, we implore you, Chisera — we will 
bring gifts to you — gifts, Chisera. (She 
looks about despairingly for a suitable gift, 
snatches a great rope of beads from the Chief's 
neck and drops it in the Chisera's lap.) 
Spoil of our enemies when the war is over, 
and this to keep as a reminder — So — if 
only you will persuade the gods to friend us. 

The Chisera 
{Lifting the collar and letting it fall,) And 
if I will not.^ 

{Still with her eyes on the Chief, ignor^ 
ing Seegooche.) 

Chief 
Chisera, I am an old man, and I knew 
your father. We had much good talk to- 



THE ARROW-MAKER 129 

gether — I am very old — but I am not 
blind in my judgment as I am in my eyes. 
In war-time there is but one law for those 
faithless to the tribal obligation. You know 
it. 

The Chi sera 
{Drawing her blanket.) I know it. 

Seegooche 
{Dropping to the ground and heating the 
earth with her palms.) Do not, do not refuse 
it, wise one, friend of the Friend! What has 
Simwa done that you should destroy us? 

The Chisera 

You ask me that, Seegooche? 

Seegooche 
I know — you said — Such a small thing, 
Chisera. To love you a little before he loved 
my daughter. Young men do often so — 
and you were very fair and no doubt be- 
guiled him — Ah, who could withstand you, 
daughter of the gods? {Wheedling.) But 
your punishment is heavy upon him. 

The Chisera 
Is it so? 



130 777^ ARROW-MAKER 

Seegooche 
{Thinking she has gained a point.) It is 
indeed as you said; he makes no more arrows, 
and his luck in the hunt is gone from him. 
And the men mock him. A war leader should 
not be mocked, Chisera. 

The Chisera 
No more should a friend of the gods, but 
Simwa mocked me. 

Seegooche 
{Loosing hope,) He was mad, Chisera, he 
had eaten rattle-weed. But my daughter did 
not mock you. Think of my daughter! 

The Chisera 
When does your daughter ever think of 
me.^ 

Seegooche 
{Broken and drooping.) Every day she 
thinks of you. When she is a-hungered, 
when her man brings her nothing from the 
hunt — as — you have said, Chisera. When 
she digs roots with the old women and no one 
prevents her for the sake of a child to be 
born. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 131 

The Chisera 
{With relish?) Does she dig roots? 

Seegooche 
With the barren women. Also her beauty 
goes, she is so thin with the famine. 

The Chisera 
{Baring her arm.) I also am thin. 

{From this moment some perception of the 
pervasive misery of the situation enters 
her mind and begins to color her speech,) 

Chief 
Hunger and sickness and war have come 
into the camp because you kept not your 
heart, Chisera. Yet a greater than all these 
shall come upon you if you forget your tribal 
obligation. 

The Chisera 
{Rising on one knee.) What obligation 
have I owed, Chief Rain Wind, and not re- 
membered \tt 

Chief 
That which lies upon all that have power 
with the Friend of the Soul of Man. Only 



132 THE ARROW-MAKER 

the gods can save us, and only you know 
the true and acceptable road to them. 

The Chisera 

(Rising and moving toward her hut.) I am 

overweary for the road; let Simwa find it. 

{An arrow J with a feather and a fragment 

of bark attached to it, is shot into the 

camp from the direction of the fighting. 

Padahoon takes it up and carries it to 

the Chief, the others crowding about.) 

Chief 
What was that .^ 

Padahoon 
A message from the Fighting Men. 

Chief 
Read me the token. 

Padahoon 
A vulture's feather and a bark of whenon- 
abe. Defeat and flight. 

Women 

Ai! Ai! 

{They throw up their arms in despair.) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 133 

Chief 
They will not be far behind their arrows. 
{^All listen. A faint whoop is heard, 
Padahoon answers with his mouth 
covered with his hands. The rest of 
the women and children come out of the 
rocks. Fighting Men come clambering 
up the steep. They show torn clothing 
and streaks of blood. The women bring 
them the water-bottles as they drop upon 
the ground. Wacoba's husband, Pam- 
AQUASH, with an arrow in his side, 
leaps once in air and drops dead. His 
wife sinks on the ground beside him, 
rocking and moaning. One breaks his 
unstrung bow across his knees and 
stamps the pieces in the earth. Finally 
comes SiMWA, his war-bonnet be drag- 
gled.) 

SiMWA 

Ughl Is it so I find the fighting men of 
Sagharawite — huddled together like rab- 
bits when the coyotes are after them? 

Wacoba 
{Scattering dust on her head.) Ai! Ai! My 
man, my man! 



134 THE ARROW-MAKER 

SiMWA 

Be still, you fool! Would you call up our 
enemies with your noise? (The wailing drops 
to a moan.) Put out that fire — they can 
sniff smoke as far as a vulture smells carrion. 
(Choco stamps out the fire.) You, Choco, do 
you show your face to me, misgotten whelp 
of a coyote! It was you who led the fleeing. 

Choco 
{Sullenly.) It was Tavwots. 

Tavwots 
By the Bear, you shall have a wound for 
that, though you ran too fast to have one in 
battle. 

{He draws the obsidian knife at his belt.) 

Padahoon 
Fools! {He strikes up Tavwots' arm; 
another Indian jerks Choco by the ankles 
causing him to sit down.) Have you killed so 
many in battle, Tavwots, that you can afford 
to lose us a fighting man .^ 

{The men subside, exhausted.) 

Chief 
Peace! Though I am too old for battle, 



THE ARROW-MAKER 135 

yet am I master in the camp. What has 
happened ? 

SiMWA 

We have shown the Tecuyas what running 
is like. 

Tavwots 
The gods send we have run fast enough to 
throw them off the trail, else they will at- 
tack before morning. 

{Consternation among the women,) 

Chief 
( To them.) Kima ! ( Their grief falls off to a 
whimper. To Simwa.) Where met you 1 

SiMWA 

Under Waban where they stayed to cook 
venison they had killed. We had every way 
the advantage — 

Tavwots 
As much as rabbits when they have met 
with coyotes. They were three to one of us. 

Simwa 

(Ignoring him with an effort^ We were 
between them and cover — we were driving 



136 THE ARROW-MAKER 

them toward Waban — but they sent one 
out against us armed — Chief and father, 
how do you think he was armed who put the 
sons of the Bear to flight? With a stick — a 
painted stick with feathers on it. {Angry and 
"protesting murmurs.) An old man with a 
stick, Rain Wind, and they ran before him 
like squaws who deserve a beating! Faugh! 
{Native movement of disgust.) 

Tavwots 

{Rising on his elhozu.) You shall be sicker, 
Simwa, when you have eaten your words. 
That old man was Tibu, the medicine man 
of the Tecuyas. I knew him. 

Simwa 
Then it was you, Tavwots, who broke and 
ran? 

Tavwots 
He came upon us with charms and spells. 
He had the gods on his side. 

Choco 
Our hearts were turned to water because 
of his evil medicine. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 137 

Chief 
Are not the gods of Sagharawite stronger 
than the gods of the Tecuyas ? 

Tavwots 
Not when we have one to lead us who de- 
spises their blessings. 

SiMWA 

Well, I believe in the medicine of Tibu. 
He has made old women of you. 

Chief 
Think no more of that. Let us consider 
what is to be done. 

{Shadows of vultures appear on the rocks, 
attracted by the dead. Wacoba springs 
up from casting dust upon her head to 
flap them away with her blanket, which 
she spreads over the body of her hus- 
band.) 

Padahoon 

{As he motions to the men to move the body 
near the shelter.) Yes, it is time to take 
counsel when the birds of the air betray us 
to our enemies. 

{The women gather together about the dead. 



138 THE ARROW-MAKER 

One of them takes the place of the sentry 
who comes to Council, The men collect 
near the Chi sera's hut with the ex- 
ception of SiMWA, who remains seated, 
re-stringing his how. Bright Water 
goes to him.) 

Bright Water 
Simwa, how long will you let your pride 
destroy us ? 

Simwa 
Is that a word for a man's wife? 

Bright Water 
It is a true one. Do we not know, you and 
I, that it is but pride that makes you stand 
out against the friend of the gods ? Look at 
me, Simwa, is it not proved on my body that 
she spoke truly when she said that you 
throve only by her blessing? 

Simwa 
Can you bear to admit so much? 

Bright Water 
Bear? What have I not borne? Have I 
complained when I dig roots ? Have I quiv- 



THE ARROW-MAKER 139 

ered when I was mocked? Has there been 
any sign of shame on my face for all the 
scorne on theirs? Have I said, ''Give me 
children," when the nursing mothers pitied 
me? Oh, I have borne, I have borne; but 
this I cannot bear. 

SiMWA 

What Is now so hard? 

Bright Water 
To know that you and I know the truth 
and that you will see the tribe wiped out be- 
fore you will admit it. 

SiMWA 

The truth? 

Bright Water 

That you were the Chisera's lover for the 
sake of what she could do for you, and your 
denial left her no way to prove it except by 
taking away the help of the gods from us all. 
Is not that the truth ? 

SiMWA 

Would you have me ashamed before all 
men? 



I40 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Bright Water 
When have I not been ashamed since I 
married you ? 

SiMWA 

Let her alone ! They will kill her if she re- 
fuses to make medicine and then we shall be 
rid of her. 

Bright Water 

And you would permit that? (fle shifts 
uneasily under her gaze.) Simwa — {With 
profound entreaty.) Simwa! 

Simwa 
What is the witch to me? 

Bright Water 

My sister, I think, for she has loved you 
even as I have, to my sorrow. 

{She turns away from him meditating 
some deep purpose, and from this time 
on the progress of that purpose in her 
mind is evident in her hearing toward 
her husband.) 

Chief 
{Coming forward.) Let the Council sit. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 141 

(They sit as in Act I.) Simwa, as war leader, 
what plan have you ? 

Simwa 
It wants not plans so much as men to do 
them. 

Chief 
Whatever is in any man's mind for the 
good of the tribe, let it be delivered. Observe 
not the rule of the elders, but speak at once. 
{A moment^ during which black looks are cast 
at Simwa.) Will no one speak? 

Padahoon 
Chief and tribesmen, once I gave counsel 
and you despised it — 

Chief 
No more of that. Give counsel now. 

Padahoon 
It is the same counsel, but time has not 
mended the occasion. Penned here on the 
edge of the precipice we can but starve. We 
must break through our enemies and strike 
at their women and their stores. 



142 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Tavwots 
Every trail Is watched. Not so much as a 
weasel can go in and out from Toorape and 
they not know it. 

Padahoon 

With so many watchers, then, they cannot 
have much of a fighting force at any point. In 
an hour it will be dark; we shall go down by 
Deer Leap with the women and children, 
and stay not for fighting, but, fleeing for our 
lives, break through to their villages — 

Choco 
But if they move on us to-night.^ If the 
vultures have already betrayed us — even 
now they may be within earshot? 

Tavwots 
If they come up with us before we reach 
Deer Leap it is to run into the wolfs mouth. 

Padahoon 
I have thought of that. To-night they ex- 
pect us to mourn our dead and go before our 
gods — 

Chief 
So should we. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 143 

Padahoon 
That they may think so, leave one behind 
to sound the medicine drum throughout the 
night. So they shall fear to attack and ex- 
pect an easier victory in the morning when 
we are exhausted with dancing to the gods. 

Tavwots 
But he that stays, what shall become of 
him — 

Chief 
He shall die as becomes him (rising) — as 
becomes a chief of his people. 
(Murmurs of consternation and then silence,) 

Padahoon 
But another — whose counsels we prize 
less — 

Chief 
It is the tribal use. None else too blind for 
the trail and too feeble for the sortie (with 
grim humor) — but I can drum. 

(Solemn grunts of approval.) 

Padahoon 
If we win through Deer Leap, we can 
make terms for you. Tribesmen, what say 
you.^ (A pause,) 



144 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Tavwots 
What I say Is for myself only; but I go not 
out against the Tecuyas again unless the 
Chisera has blessed the going. 

The Council 
Good counsel; good counsel! He has it! 

SiMWA 

There are two or three things to the mak- 
ing of fighting men, Tavwots, beside the 
blessing of women. 

Tavwots 
Two or three things, Simwa, that I think 
you have not: honor to win advantage and 
wit to keep what you have got. 

Padahoon 
As for me, I am with Tavwots; but {Jfie 
looks at Simwa) — the gods have no favors 
for unbelievers. 

Tavwots 
Nor have we, by the Bear! 

Indians 

(Springing up.) Nor have we! No; by the 



THE ARROW-MAKER 145 

Bear! Out with him! {They hustle Simwa. 
One snatches off the war-honnet^ another the 
collar of bears^ claws. Even the women strike 
dust upon him with their feet in an excess of 
contempt.) 

Chief 
Peace, tribesmen! 

Tavwots 
Perhaps we shall have peace when we have 
a leader against whom neither the gods nor 
women have a spite. Tribesmen, who shall 
lead the going out but he who planned it? 

Indians 
Hi! Hi! Padahoon! Padahoon! {They 
fling the collar about his neck. Tavwots hands 
him the bonnet.) Hi! Hi! The Sparrow 
Hawk. 

Padahoon 
Do not count on me too much with the 
Chisera; all this time I have kept in camp 
with my wound I have reasoned with her, 
but still she refuses me. 

Chief 
There shall be an end to that — 



146 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Padahoon 
How then — ? 

Chief 
Who denies service to the tribe in extrem- 
ity must be dealt with as an enemy. 

(Consternation^ 

Choco 
But a friend of the gods — 

Tavwots 

Let the gods save her — 

Chief 
There are times when the gods must be 
content to stand still and see what men will 
do. Who serves not us, serves our enemies. 
It is the law. 

Padahoon 
{Reluctantly.) It is the law — 

Chief 
Death or good medicine — Speak, tribes- 
men! 

{Above the silence of the Council is heard 
the deepj excited breathing of the wo- 
men.) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 147 

The Council 
(One after another.) Death. Death. Death 
or good medicine. It is the law. 

Chief 
{To Padahoon.) Bid her come. 

Padahoon 
{At the hut.) Chisera, come to Council! 

The Chisera 

{Issuing^ wrapped in her blanket.) Who 
sends for me.^* 

Chief 
Death is hot upon our trail. Stay him 
with your spells. 

Men and Women 
Good medicine, Chisera, good medicine! 

The Chisera 
Have you not a war leader — 

{She stops, noticing the bonnet on Pad- 
ahoon — looks from him to Simwa.) 

Padahoon 
Who invites your blessing, Chisera! 



148 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Chief 
Make spells for thy people! 

The Chisera 
What have my people done for me that I 
should weary myself to make medicine for 
them ? 

Chief 
Are you not respected above all women of 
the campody ? Even in war-time — 

The Chisera 
Ah — respect! What have I to do with 
respect? Am I not as other women that men 
should desire me? Are my breasts less fair 
that there should never be milk in them? 

Chief 
We honor you after the use of medicine 
men. What more would you have? 

The Chisera 
The dole of women. Love and sorrow and 
housekeeping; a husband to give me chil- 
dren, even though he beat me. 

Chief 
Love you have given, and sorrow you have 



THE ARROW-MAKER 149 

got. Shame and defeat are your children. 
So it is always when power falls upon women. 
The word has passed in Council, Chisera; 
will you repair this damage, or will you die 
for it? 

The Chisera 
{As her eye travels the circle of the camp.) 
I do not find the taste of life so sweet that I 
should turn it twice upon my tongue; but — 
{Her gaze halts on Simwa, and all the attention 
of the camp seems to hang a moment in sus- 
pe7ise as Simwa ignores her.) Do I die, then.f* 

Padahoon 
Let Simwa die! 

Indians 

Ah— ah— ! 

Simwa 
What, old fox, are you out of cover at last.? 

Padahoon 
By whom trouble came into the camp, let 
it depart. Who prevented the wisdom of the 
gods at the throwing of the sacred sticks? 
By whose counsel were our allies of Cas- 
tac destroyed ? Who hardened the Chisera's 
heart so that she kept not our foes from us? 



ISO THE ARROW-MAKER 

Indians 
Simwa! SLmwa! 

Padahoon 
Sons of the Bear, do you think to win 
favor of the gods when you have one who 
mocks them in your midst? Would you see 
the backs of the Tecuyas? Would you win 
to your homes again? Let Simwa die! 

Indians 
Aye, aye. Let Simwa die! A judgment! 
A judgment! 

Simwa 
{Aside to his wife.) My quiver, hand me 
my quiver! 

Chief 
Simwa, as thou art a son to me, I fear the 
charge is just. But do you entreat the Chis- 
era to go before the gods for us, then will 
this evil pass. 

Simwa 
(Rising.) And if I choose to have it said 
that when the tribesmen of Sagharawite 
took a woman to Council, only Simwa stood 
out against it? 



THE ARROW-MAKER 151 

Chief 
Then must I give judgment. 

Bright Water 
SImwa! 

SiMWA 

(Folding his arms) It shall not be said of 
me that I have borne to take my life of a 
woman. 

The Chisera 
Whether you can bear it or not, it shall be 
said of you, for though I am unhappy, I am 
still the Chisera, and I declare unto you 
that neither the life nor the death of a 
broken man can avail to turn the gods. But 
you. Chief Rain Wind, and you tribesmen of 
Sagharawite, — if you must visit the loss of 
my power, let it be on your own heads, for 
you only are blameworthy. 

Chief 
This is no time for riddles, Chisera. 

The Chisera 
I mean none. What did Simwa other to 
me than the occasion allowed him? Was it 
his fault that he found me alone and love- 



152 THE ARROW-MAKER 

hungry? Was it he who ordered that I 
should live apart where no woman could 
see how my heart went and give me counsel ? 
Was it any fault but yours — you that kept 
me far from your huts lest I should see and 
carry word to the gods how unworthy you 
were! You that feared yourselves lessened 
when I walked among you with my power — 
Ai! Ai! Did you think at all what became 
of the woman so long as you had my medi- 
cine to help you? 

TiAWA 

{Creeping forward.) So I said, so I said 
from the beginning. She was taught to be a 
Chisera, but she was born a woman! 

{Excitement among the women.) 

Chief 
Your words are sharp, Chisera. 

The Chisera 
The fact is sharper. It has eaten through 
my bosom. 

Chief 
We meant the best — we judged you com- 
panioned by the gods. 



THE ARROW-MAKER 153 

The Chisera 
Did ever a woman serve them the less be- 
cause she had dealt with a man? Nay, all 
the power of woman comes from loving and 
being loved, and now the bitterest of all my 
loss is to know that I have never had it. 

(SA^ draws up her blanket.) 

Bright Water 
And not you only — 



You 



The Chisera 

{She turns away confounded.) 



SiMWA 

Wife — wife — if she finds the gods again, 
they will surely kill me. 

Bright Water 
Let them. Though I am your wife, I am 
the Chief's daughter, and the tribe is still 
something to me. I will save them if I can. 
Chisera — 

{The Chisera listens and turns slowly.) 

Chief 
Is that my daughter? 



154 THE ARROW-MAKER 

Tavwots 
Hush! Perhaps she will move her! 

Bright Water 
Do you think yourself aggrieved so much, 
Chisera? Come, I will match sorrow with 
you, I and all these {ike women surge forward)^ 
and the stakes shall be the people. Here is 
my pride that I throw down, in my bride 
year to know my husband an impostor. 
Have you any sorrow to match with that? 

Wacoba 
Since you wish a man so much, Chisera, 
here is mine whom the vultures seek. 

{The women fart to show the dead man 
stark in his blanket.) 

Haiwai 

Would you have a child at your breast, 
Chisera, here is mine, for my milk is dried 
with hunger. 

{She holds up her swaddled child which 
Bright Water takes and holds toward 
the Chisera, who stands confused^ for 
the first time acutely aware of their 
misery,) 



THE ARROW-MAKER 155 

Bright Water 

{Measuring the effect of her words.) Chis- 
era, my breast is as fruitless as yours — but 
you . . . you have . . . good medicine. 

TiAWA 

Lay hold on the gods, Chisera, these are 
ills from which man cannot save us! 

{The Chisera throws out her hands to sig- 
nify the loss of her power., her blanket 
slips to the ground and she covers her 
face with her hands,) 

The Chisera 
Gone — gone! It is gone from me! 

Bright Water 

{Signing to the women to hide the blanket.) 
By dancing you shall bring it back again — 
for the sake of the women and children — 
dance, Chisera! 

{Her voice has a kindling sound, and the 
women echo it with a breath.) 

The Chisera 
Oh, I have danced until the earth under 
me is beaten to dust, and my heart is as dry 
as the dust, and all my songs have fallen 



156 THE ARROW-MAKER 

to the ground. {She begins to walk up and 
down excitedly?) With what cry shall I call 
on the gods, now my songs are departed? 

(She begins to chant?) 

And my heart is emptied of all 
But the grief of women. 

{The women watch her breathlessly; as 
she gradually swings into the dance, 
they seem to urge her with the stress of 
their anxiety.) 

All the anguish of women, 

It smells to the gods 

As the dead after battle, 

It sounds in my heart 

As the hollow drums calling to battle, 

And the gods come quickly. 

{As she falters the tribe surges forward,) 

Tribe 
Dance, Chisera, dance! 

{She tries again and no strength comes — 
the men hold up their hands, palms 
outward, in the sign of prayer. The 
drum begins hollowly.) 

Come, O my power. 
Indwelling spirit! 



THE ARROW-MAKER 157 

It Is I that call. 
Childless, unmated — 

(Drums and rattles are brought out, at 
first cautiously, lest she take alarm 
and he turned from her -purpose, hut as 
the fervor of her dancing increases, with 
increased confidence, Simwa remains 
seated at one side, watching her, his 
foot touching his quiver. Padahoon, 
who has moved over near him, observes 
him narrowly in the interval of danc- 
ing. Chisera sings.) 

Nay, I shall mate with the gods, 

And the tribesmen shall be my children. 

Rise up in me, O, my power, 

On the wings of eagles ! 

Return on me as the rain 

The earth renewing. 

Make my heart fruitful 

To nourish my children. 

(Simwa is seen to strip the magic arrow 
from his quiver.) 

Bright Water 

Simwa, Simwa, what do you do.^ 

Simwa 
No more than the gods will do to me if 
they hear her. 



158 THE ARROW-MAKER 

The Chi sera 

This is my song that I make, 

I, the Chisera, 

The song of the mateless woman: 

None holdeth my hand but the Friend, 

In the silence, in the secret places 

We shall beget great deeds between us! 

(^As she rises on the last movement of the 
dance toward ecstasy, the excitement 
rises with her, expressing itself in short, 
irrepressible yelps, at the highest point 
of which a scream from Bright Water 
arrests the dancers.) 

Bright Water 
Chisera, the arrow, the black arrow! 

(SiMWA shoots.) 

The Chisera 
{Dying.) Ah, Simwa! (Dies.) 

{In the distance is heard the shout of the 
approaching Tecuyas,) 

CURTAIN 



GLOSSARY OF 
INDIAN WORDS AND PHRASES 

THE DANCES 

COSTUMES 



GLOSSARY OF INDIAN WORDS AND 
PHRASES 

The names and phrases used in The Arrow- 
Maker were chosen from the culture area com- 
prising the central valleys of California, from 
tribes belonging to or affiliated with the Paiute 
group. Exact definitions could not always be 
ascertained and frequently the meaning given 
by different villages differed widely. Whenever 
possible the nomenclature of the locality m which 
the incident occurred is preferred. 

Choco. "Fatty"; a nickname of doubtful origin, pos- 
sibly from the Spanish Chopo. 
Pamaquash. "Very tali"; the Paiute equivalent of 

Longfellow. 
Castac. "Place of Springs"; a small valley in the 

southerly Sierra, from which the inhabitants take 

their name. 
Yavi. A common given name, meaning unknown. 
Tavwots. "Mighty Hunter"; a name given to the 

rabbit in Paiute lore. 
Seegooche. "Woman who gives good things to eat." 

Lady Bountiful. 
Tiawa. A familiar title frequently given to old women, 

like "Grannie." 
Wacoha. "Flower of the Oak"; oak tassel, also the 

plume of the quail. 
Chisera. Medicine Woman; witch. (See last chapter 



i62 GLOSSARY 

of The Flock for account of the original Medicine 
Woman from whom the character was drawn.) 

Tuiyo. "Shining"; very bright. 

Pioke. "Dew drop." 

Simwa. Applied in humorous sense, meaning a 
"swell." 

Padahoon. The Sparrow Hawk. 

Tecuya. Oak thicket, encinal. 

Pahrump. Corn water. A place where there is water 
enough to grow a crop of corn. 

Sagharawite. "Place of the mush that was afraid." 
An Indian village named from the quaking, gelatin- 
ous mush of acorn meal. 

Paiute. More properly "Pah Ute": the Utes who 
live by running water as distinguished from the 
Utes of the Great Basin; one of the interior tribes of 
the Pacific Coast. 

" Friend of the Soul of Man." The Great Spirit; the 
Holy Ghost. 

Toorape. " Captain " ; chief; a name given to one of the 
peaks of the Sierras. 

" The Sacred Sticks." A number of small sticks with 
peculiar markings. Divination was practiced by 
throwing them on the ground and interpreting the 
pattern In which they fell. 

Haiwai. "The dove." 

Winnedumah. "Standing Rock"; a legendary hero. 

Tinnemaha. Probably "Medicine Water." Mineral 
spring. Brother of the hero In the legend of Winne- 
dumah. 

"Eaten meadowlarks' tongues." Said of one nimble 
of wit. With the idea that like cures like, Indians 
were accustomed to feed backward or defective 
children with associated parts of animals. 



GLOSSARY 163 

Whenonahe. Bitter brush; a decoction of the bark 
producing colic and griping; a symbol of disaster. 

" Rattle-weed." Astragalus; produces madness when 
eaten. 

"Toyon." California Christmas Berry. 

" Snake-in-the-grass . . . tattle to the gods." Snakes 
are believed to be the messengers and familiars of 
the gods; therefore the Paiutes tell no important 
matter in the summer when they are about. 

"To dig roots before her wedding year is out." A 
curse equivalent to barrenness. The work of digging 
roots was not performed by expectant mothers. 

" Wickiup." A wattled hut of brush, made by planting 
willow poles about a pit four or five feet deep and 
six to eight feet in diameter. The poles were then 
drawn over in a dome and thatched with reeds or 
brush. 

" Campody." An Indian village; from the Spanish 
campo. 

Barranca. A bank, the abrupt face of a mesa. From 
the Spanish. 



THE DANCES 

All tribal or emotional occasions among In- 
dians are invariably accompanied by singing 
and dancing. These are frequently derived from 
the movements of animals and are both panto- 
mimic and symbolic. 

The object of the medicine dance is to work 
up the dancer to a state of trance, in which he 
receives a revelation in regard to the matter 
under consideration. 

Some of these medicine dances are ritualistic 
in character and must be performed with great 
strictness, but in the case of the Chisera the dance 
is assumed to be made up of various dance ele- 
ments expressing the emotion of the moment, 
combined by individual taste and skill. 

Power is supposed to descend upon the dancer 
as he proceeds. Sometimes the dance lasts for 
hours, and even for days before the proper 
trance condition is attained. Even then the rev- 
elation may not come until a second or third 
climax has been reached. 

The blanket dance is common throughout the 
Southwest, and possibly elsewhere. It is accom- 
panied by a song which says, in effect, "How 
lovely it will be when you and I have but one 
blanket." By the young people it is not taken 
any more seriously than "drop the handker- 
chief" and other courtship games. 



COSTUMES 

While the scene of this play Is laid among the 
Paiute peoples, there is nothing which makes it 
absolutely unlikely among any of the hunting 
tribes. 

Considerable latitude Is therefore permissible 
in costume and accessories. The only indispen- 
sable thing is that all these should be kept within 
a given culture area. Every article of Indian use 
or apparel is determined by some condition of 
living, and it is a mistake to mix costumes from 
various tribes. 

Concessions must be made to the objections 
of the modern audience to the state of nudity 
which would be natural to the time in which the 
story is laid. But even making allowance for 
this, the tendency is always to overdo, to have 
too many beads and fringes and war-bonnets. 
No more than his white brother did the Indian 
wear all his best clothes every day. 

The blanket is the most considerable item of 
Indian equipment. At once by its quality, its 
color, and its pattern it announces something of 
the wearer's rank and condition. 

The way in which it is worn betrays the state 
of his mind as does no other garment. It is 
drawn up, shrugged oif , swung from one shoulder, 



i68 COSTUMES 

or completely shrouds the figure according as his 
mood runs, or it is folded neatly about the body 
to get it out of the way of his arms when he has 
need of them. Blankets would be worn to Coun- 
cil, but not going to battle. They would be worn 
by young and modest women on public occasions, 
but by old women only for warmth and protec- 
tion. They are also worn as an advertisement of 
the desire for privacy. 

When an Indian is seen completely shrouded 
in his blanket, standing or sitting a little apart 
from the camp, he either has a grouch or he is 
praying. In either case it is not good manners to 
interrupt him. 

As far as possible the use of the blanket is in- 
dicated in the text. Always it may be safely 
taken as an indication of the wearer's attitude 
toward whatever is going on about him. 



CAMBRIDGE . MASSACHUSETTS 
U . S . A 



Kl07 




.ivX-'-^o*' 



0- 







.-J.*^'.-'''.^*** 



,*\.o... -^^ '••• .«>'' ... 














\ 















< • o^ 



WIRT 
BOOKBINDING 

Grantville Pa 
^ept— Oa 1985 






r» V - « o ^ *?;- 




